An interplay of salt and Ni stress on contrasting tomato ( L.) genotypes: a physiological and biochemical insight.

The concurrently occurring multiple abiotic stresses like salinity and heavy metals (Nickel) pose a serious threat to plant survival and food security worldwide, especially in the face of climate change. Therefore, it is imperative to continuously test and study the plant's physiological changes under combinations of abiotic stresses to ensure sustainability and food security. An experiment was conducted to study the interactive effects of salinity (0, 7.

Substitution of a single non-coding nucleotide upstream of TMEM216 causes non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa and is associated with reduced TMEM216 expression.

Genome analysis of individuals affected by retinitis pigmentosa (RP) identified two rare nucleotide substitutions at the same genomic location on chromosome 11 (g.61392563 [GRCh38]), 69 base pairs upstream of the start codon of the ciliopathy gene TMEM216 (c.-69G>A, c.

Silicon-nanoparticles loaded biochar for soil arsenic immobilization and alleviation of phytotoxicity in barley: Implications for human health risk.

Arsenic (As)-induced environmental pollution and associated health risks are recognized on a global level. Here the impact of cotton shells derived biochar (BC) and silicon-nanoparticles loaded biochar (nano-Si-BC) was explored on soil As immobilization and its phytotoxicity in barley plants in a greenhouse study. The barley plants were grown in a sandy loam soil with varying concentrations of BC and nano-Si-BC (0, 1, and 2%), along with different levels of As (0, 5, 10, and 20 mg kg).

Magnetic nanocomposite of maize offal biomass for effective sequestration of Congo red and methyl orange dyes from contaminated water: modeling, kinetics and reusability.

The current study aims to use a facile and novel method to remove Congo red (CR) and Methyl Orange (MO) dyes from contaminated water with Maize offal biomass (MOB) and its nanocomposite with magnetic nanoparticles (MOB/MNPs). The MOB and MOB/MNPs were characterized with Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), BET, XRD and point of zero charge (pH). The influence of initial CR and MO levels (20-320 mg/L), adsorbent dosage (1-3 g/L), pH (3-9), co-exiting ions, temperature (25-45 °C) and time (15-180 min) was estimated.

Correction: Mutational analysis in sodium-borate cotransporter SLC4A11 in consanguineous families from Punjab, Pakistan.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Food waste: causes and economic losses estimation at household level in Pakistan.

Food waste is one of the major sustainability issues that need to be addressed due to its negative impacts on the economy, environment, and food security. To develop food waste reduction policies on regional and global level, it is mandatory to have a clear understanding of the various factors prompting food waste at household level and the extent of the economic losses incurred by food waste. Reducing food waste can decrease household expenditure on food, freeing resources for health, education, and well-being.

Iron enriched quinoa biochar enhances Nickel phytoremediation potential of L. by its immobilization and attenuation of oxidative stress: implications for human health.

The present study was performed to assess Ni-immobilization and the phytoremediation potential of sunflower by the application of quinoa stalks biochar (QSB) and its magnetic nanocomposite (MQSB). The QSB and MQSB were characterized with FTIR, SEM, EDX, and XRD to get an insight of their surface properties. Three-week-old seedlings of sunflower were transplanted to soil spiked with Ni (0, 15, 30, 60, 90 mg kg), QSB and MQSB (0, 1, and 2%) in the wire house under natural conditions.

Differential Effect of Heat Stress on Drought and Salt Tolerance Potential of Quinoa Genotypes: A Physiological and Biochemical Investigation.

Soil salinity, drought, and increasing temperatures are serious environmental issues that drastically reduce crop productivity worldwide. Quinoa ( Willd) is an important crop for food security under the changing climate. This study examined the physio-biochemical responses, plant growth, and grain yield of four quinoa genotypes (A7, Titicaca, Vikinga, and Puno) grown in pots containing normal (non-saline) or salt-affected soil exposed to drought and elevated-temperature treatments.

Relationship Between Mass Loss and Fruit Quality of Sweet Orange at Two Different Storage Conditions.

Mass loss from fresh produce is linked to a reduction of its aesthetic value. However, a relationship between mass loss and biochemical quality parameters at different storage conditions has not been widely explored. Therefore, the current study is designed with the objectives to determine the behavior of fruit quality parameters and a relationship between fruit mass loss and fruit quality at two different storage conditions.

Next-generation whole exome sequencing to delineate the genetic basis of primary congenital glaucoma.

To delineate the genetic bases of primary congenital glaucoma (PCG), we ascertained a large cohort consisting of 48 consanguineous families. Of these, we previously reported 26 families with mutations in CYP1B1 and six families with LTBP2, whereas the genetic bases responsible for PCG in 16 families remained elusive. We employed next-generation whole exome sequencing to delineate the genetic basis of PCG in four of these 16 familial cases.

A genomic deletion encompassing CRYBB2-CRYBB2P1 is responsible for autosomal recessive congenital cataracts.

Here we report a consanguineous Pakistani family with multiple affected individuals with autosomal recessive congenital cataract (arCC). Exclusion analysis established linkage to chromosome 22q, and Sanger sequencing coupled with PCR-based chromosome walking identified a large homozygous genomic deletion. Our data suggest that this deletion leads to CRYBB2-CRYBB2P1 fusion, consisting of exons 1-5 of CRYBB2 and exon 6 of CRYBB2P1, the latter of which harbors the c.

Mutational analysis in sodium-borate cotransporter SLC4A11 in consanguineous families from Punjab, Pakistan.

Aim: To identify the molecular basis of Congenital Hereditary Endothelial Dystrophy CHED caused by mutations in SLC4A11, in the consanguineous Pakistani families.

Methods: A total of 7 consanguineous families affected with Congenital Hereditary Endothelial Dystrophy were diagnosed and registered with the help of ophthalmologists. Blood samples were collected from affected and unaffected members of the enrolled families.

Nickel toxicity pretreatment attenuates salt stress by activating antioxidative system and ion homeostasis in tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.): an interplay from mild to severe stress.

Plants antioxidative system is the first line of defense against oxidative stress caused secondarily by toxic ions under salinity. Plants with pre-activated antioxidative system can better adapt to salinity and can result in higher growth and yield. The current experiment was conducted to assess the adaptation of two tomato genotypes (Riogrande and Green Gold) with pre-activated antioxidative enzymes against salt stress.

CLCC1 c. 75C>A Mutation in Pakistani Derived Retinitis Pigmentosa Families Likely Originated With a Single Founder Mutation 2,000-5,000 Years Ago.

A CLCC1 c. 75C > A (p.D25E) mutation has been associated with autosomal recessive pigmentosa in patients in and from Pakistan.

Nickel tolerance and phytoremediation potential of quinoa are modulated under salinity: multivariate comparison of physiological and biochemical attributes.

Soils salinization along with heavy metals contamination is among the serious environmental menaces. The present experiment was conducted to study the combined influence of salinity and nickel (Ni) on growth and physiological attributes of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.).

Iron oxide nanoparticles doped biochar ameliorates trace elements induced phytotoxicity in tomato by modulation of physiological and biochemical responses: Implications for human health risk.

Use of untreated municipal wastewater (WW) contains toxic trace elements that pose a serious threat to the soil-plant-human continuum. The use of biochar (BC) is a promising approach to minimize trace element induced toxicity in the ecosystem. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of BC derived from wheat straw and iron oxide nanoparticles doped biochar (IO-BC) to reduce trace element buildup in soil and plants that consequently affect tomato plant growth and physiological activity under WW irrigation.

Genetic Analysis of Consanguineous Pakistani Families with Congenital Stationary Night Blindness.

Introduction: Congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) is a rare, largely nonprogressive, inherited retinal disorder that can be clinically classified on the basis of fundus and electroretinogram abnormalities.

Methods: We analyzed four large consanguineous families from the Southern Punjab region of Pakistan including multiple individuals affected with CSNB. Exome sequencing was performed in probands of all four families; Sanger sequencing was performed in additional members to test co-segregation of the variants identified.

Biochar mitigates arsenic-induced human health risks and phytotoxicity in quinoa under saline conditions by modulating ionic and oxidative stress responses.

Arsenic (As) is a toxic metalloid and its widespread contamination in agricultural soils along with soil salinization has become a serious concern for human health and food security. In the present study, the effect of cotton shell biochar (CSBC) in decreasing As-induced phytotoxicity and human health risks in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) grown on As-spiked saline and non-saline soils was evaluated.

Hydrogeochemical and health risk investigation of potentially toxic elements in groundwater along River Sutlej floodplain in Punjab, Pakistan.

Understanding groundwater quality and hydrogeochemical behavior is important because consumption of the potentially toxic elements (PTEs)-contaminated drinking water may induce several health problems for humans and animals. In the current study, we examined the potential groundwater contamination with various PTEs (arsenic, As; cadmium, Cd; copper, Cu; manganese; Mn) and the PTEs-induced health risk. Groundwater (n = 111) was characterized for total As, Cd, Cu, and Mn concentrations and other water quality attributes along the River Sutlej floodplain of Punjab, Pakistan.

Assessment of cadmium and lead tolerance potential of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) and its implications for phytoremediation and human health.

Soil contamination with Cd and Pb is a worldwide problem which not only degrades the environment but also poses a serious threat for human and animal health. Phytoremediation of these contaminated soils using halophytic plants like quinoa presents an opportunity to clean the soils and use them for crop production. The current experiment was performed to evaluate the Cd and Pb tolerance potential of quinoa and subsequently its implications for human health.

A missense allele of PEX5 is responsible for the defective import of PTS2 cargo proteins into peroxisomes.

Peroxisomes, single-membrane intracellular organelles, play an important role in various metabolic pathways. The translocation of proteins from the cytosol to peroxisomes depends on peroxisome import receptor proteins and defects in peroxisome transport result in a wide spectrum of peroxisomal disorders. Here, we report a large consanguineous family with autosomal recessive congenital cataracts and developmental defects.

Whole genome sequencing data of multiple individuals of Pakistani descent.

Here we report whole genome sequencing of four individuals (H3, H4, H5, and H6) from a family of Pakistani descent. Whole genome sequencing yielded 1084.92, 894.

Unraveling the toxic effects of iron oxide nanoparticles on nitrogen cycling through manure-soil-plant continuum.

Soil contamination with metallic nanoparticles is increasing due to their increased use in industrial and domestic settings. These nanoparticles are potentially toxic to soil microbes and may affect their associated functions and thereby the nutrient cycling in agro-ecosystems. This study examined the effects of iron oxides nanoparticles (IONPs) on carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics of poultry (PM) and farmyard manure (FYM) in the soil.

Mutations in and cause retinitis pigmentosa in Pakistani families.

This study was conducted to identify the genetic basis of retinal dystrophies in consanguineous Pakistani families. We recruited two families with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) displaying visual difficulties, including nyctalopia and constricted visual fields. Linkage analysis and Sanger sequencing resulted in the identification of a previously reported nonsense mutation, c.