Microbiome diversity and variations in industrial hemp genotypes.

Microbes like bacteria and fungi are crucial for host plant growth and development. However, environmental factors and host genotypes can influence microbiome composition and diversity in plants such as industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.).

The silicon regulates microbiome diversity and plant defenses during cold stress in L.

Introduction: With climate change, frequent exposure of bioenergy and food crops, specifically soybean ( L.), to low-temperature episodes is a major obstacle in maintaining sustainable plant growth at early growth stages. Silicon (Si) is a quasi-essential nutrient that can help to improve stress tolerance; however, how Si and a combination of cold stress episodes influence plant growth, plant physiology, and microbiome diversity has yet to be fully discovered.

The long-term quality of life following liver transplantation in a developing country with a free health care system.

Introduction: Developing countries with limited resources are yet to establish universal liver transplant (LT) services to cater to their population free of charge. In this unique setting, no data are published on the long-term Quality of life (QOL) of LT survivors.

Objectives: Compare the long-term quality of life of post-liver transplant patients with a matching cohort of pretransplant cirrhotic patients and a matching non cirrhotic control group.

Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized from leaf extract on growth and antioxidant properties of mustard ().

Background: The sustainability of crop production is impacted by climate change and land degradation, and the advanced application of nanotechnology is of paramount importance to overcome this challenge. The development of nanomaterials based on essential nutrients like zinc could serve as a basis for nanofertilizers and nanocomposite synthesis for broader agricultural applications and quality human nutrition. Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using pecan (Carya illinoinensis) leaf extract and investigate their effect on the growth, physiology, nutrient content, and antioxidant properties of mustard (Brassica juncea).

The morphological and anatomical variability of the stems of an industrial hemp collection and the properties of its fibres.

Industrial hemp ( L.) is identified as a leading fibre crop and there is increasing interest in fibre due to its new range of industrial applications. However, the complexity of hemp germplasm resulted in insufficient information on the effect of genotypes on fibre quality and quantity.

Plant based radioprotectors as an adjunct to radiotherapy: advantages and limitations.

Radioprotectors are agents that have the potential to act against radiation damage to cells. These are equally invaluable in radiation protection, both in intentional and unintentional radiation exposure. It is however, complex to use a universal radioprotector that could be beneficial in diverse contexts such as in radiotherapy, nuclear accidents, and space travel, as each of these circumstances have unique requirements.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles with Antimicrobial Properties Using Plant Extract.

Foodborne illnesses caused by the consumption of food contaminated with foodborne pathogens at infectious doses are becoming a common health issue throughout the world. Metal nanoparticles with potential antimicrobial properties are an area that can be explored to discover novel antimicrobial agents. The traditional synthesis methods of metal nanoparticles involve the use of toxic chemicals and the generation of harmful byproducts.

Assessment of Groundwater Quality in CKDu Affected Areas of Sri Lanka: Implications for Drinking Water Treatment.

This study investigated the water quality of the groundwater that was collected from the chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) prevailing areas in the dry zone of Sri Lanka to assess its suitability for drinking purposes, and for the first time a Water Quality Index (WQI) with emphasis on proposing appropriate drinking water treatment method was developed. A total of 88 groundwater samples were collected in dry (December 2016) and wet (May 2017) seasons; high concentrations of water hardness, fluoride, salinity, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and the general alkaline nature of water were the main issues that were observed for disease incidence. The chemical weathering of the underlying bedrock, followed by ion exchange and precipitation processes, primarily controlled groundwater geochemistry.

Fracture mechanics of shear crack propagation and dissection in the healthy bovine descending aortic media.

Unlabelled: This experimental study adopts a fracture mechanics strategy to investigate the mechanical cause of aortic dissection. Inflation of excised healthy bovine aortic rings with a cut longitudinal notch that extends into the media from the intima suggests that an intimal tear may propagate a nearly circumferential-longitudinal rupture surface that is similar to the delamination that occurs in aortic dissection. Radial and 45°-from-radial cut notch orientations, as seen in the thickness surface, produce similar circumferential crack propagation morphologies.

Functional identification of valerena-1,10-diene synthase, a terpene synthase catalyzing a unique chemical cascade in the biosynthesis of biologically active sesquiterpenes in Valeriana officinalis.

Valerian is an herbal preparation from the roots of Valeriana officinalis used as an anxiolytic and sedative and in the treatment of insomnia. The biological activities of valerian are attributed to valerenic acid and its putative biosynthetic precursor valerenadiene, sesquiterpenes, found in V. officinalis roots.

Comparative study of three Plumbago L. species (Plumbaginaceae) by microscopy, UPLC-UV and HPTLC.

This paper presents a comparative study of anatomy of leaves, stems and roots of three species of Plumbago, namely P. auriculata Lam., P.

Pelargonium oil and methyl hexaneamine (MHA): analytical approaches supporting the absence of MHA in authenticated Pelargonium graveolens plant material and oil.

Methylhexaneamine (MHA) has been marketed in dietary supplements based on arguments that it is a constituent of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) leaves, stems, roots or oil, and therefore qualifies as a dietary ingredient. The purpose of this study is to determine whether P. graveolens plant material (authenticated) or its oil contains detectable quantities of MHA.

A new triterpene glycoside from Centella erecta.

A new (2α,3β)-23-sulphonyl-2,3-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1) together with eighteen known compounds were isolated from Centella erecta (L.f.) Fern.

Two new triterpene glycosides from Centella asiatica.

Phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Centella asiatica resulted in the isolation and characterization of eight triterpenes and/or saponins [which were characterized as 23- O-acetylmadecassoside (1), asiatic acid (2), madecassic acid (3), asiaticoside C (4), asiaticoside F (5), asiaticoside (6), madecassoside (7), and 23- O-acetylasiaticoside B (8)] together with sitosterol 3-O-beta-glucoside ( 9), stigmasterol 3- O- beta-glucoside (10), and querectin-3- O-beta-D-glucuronide (11). A new ursane-derived saponin (23- O-acetylmadecassoside) and a new oleanane-derived saponin (23- O-acetylasiaticoside B) were found as well. Structure elucidation was done by using spectroscopic techniques (HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR), chemical methods, and comparative literature studies.

Iso-N-formyl-5-en-chonemorphine, a steroidal alkaloid from Sarcococca zeylanica.

Chemical investigation of the non-quaternary alkaloidal fraction of the aerial parts of Sarcococca zeylanica of the family Buxaceae furnished a steroidal alkaloid iso-N-formyl-5-en-chonemorphine, which has not been previously reported as a natural product. The structure of this alkaloid was established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.