Effects of Biogenic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Growth and Oxidative Stress Response in Flax Seedlings vs. In Vitro Cultures: A Comparative Analysis.

biosynthesizes lignans and neolignans that are diet and medicinally valuable metabolites. In recent years, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) have emerged as potential elicitors for the enhanced biosynthesis of commercial secondary metabolites. Herein, we investigated the influence of biogenic ZnONPs on both seedlings and stem-derived callus of .

Effects of antenatal nutrition counselling on dietary practices and nutritional status of pregnant women: A quasi-experimental hospital based study.

Objective: To assess the effects of nutrition education intervention on dietary practices and nutritional status of pregnant women.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 215 pregnant women were enrolled from Gynae OPD, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan during 2017-18. Dietary practices were assessed using the usual intake form and scoring was done against food guide pyramid.

Constitutive expression of Asparaginase in Gossypium hirsutum triggers insecticidal activity against Bemisia tabaci.

Whitefly infestation of cotton crop imparts enormous damage to cotton yield by severely affecting plant health, vigour and transmitting Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCuV). Genetic modification of cotton helps to overcome both the direct whitefly infestation as well as CLCuV based cotton yield losses. We have constitutively overexpressed asparaginase (ZmASN) gene in Gossypium hirsutum to overcome the cotton yield losses imparted by whitefly infestation.

In Silico Modeling of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Glycoprotein-N and Screening of Anti Viral Hits by Virtual Screening.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a widespread zoonotic viral disease, caused by a tick-born virus Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). This disease is endemic in Middle East, Asia, Africa and South-Eastern Europe with the mortality rate of 5-30%. CCHFV genome is composed of three segments: large, medium and small segments.

Synthesis and characterization of poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide-acrylic acid) smart polymer microgels for adsorptive extraction of copper(II) and cobalt(II) from aqueous medium: kinetic and thermodynamic aspects.

Extraction of toxic heavy metal ions from aqueous medium using poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide-acrylic acid) (P(NiPmA-Ac)) microgels as adsorbent has been investigated in present study. P(NiPmA-Ac) microgel particles were prepared by free radical precipitation polymerization in aqueous medium. Morphology and size of the prepared microgel particles was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Synthesis of bio-mediated silver nanoparticles from Silybum marianum and their biological and clinical activities.

The purpose of current study was green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from seeds and wild Silybum plants in comparison with their respective extracts followed by characterization and biological potency. The biologically synthesized AgNPs were subjected to characterization using techniques like XRD, FTIR, TEM, HPLC and SPE. Highly crystalline and stable NPs were obtained using Silybum wild plant (NP1) and seeds (NP3) with size range between 18.

Interactive Effects of Wide-Spectrum Monochromatic Lights on Phytochemical Production, Antioxidant and Biological Activities of Callus Cultures.

is considered an important traditional medicinal herb because of its unique antioxidant, and anti-diabetic, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory potential. Because of the over exploitation linked to its medicinal properties as well as destruction of its natural habitat, is now becoming endangered and its supply is limited. Plant in vitro culture and elicitation are attractive alternative strategies to produce biomass and stimulate biosynthesis of medicinally important phytochemicals.

Exploiting oxadiazole-sulfonamide hybrids as new structural leads to combat diabetic complications via aldose reductase inhibition.

A series of oxadiazole-sulfonamide hybrids was synthesized through multistep reaction and for the formation of targeted thioethers 6(a-l), a much facile route was adopted through which S-alkylation was successfully carried out at room temperature. These novel thioethers 6(a-l) were later screened against aldehyde reductase (ALR1) and aldose reductase (ALR2). Beside the enzyme inhibition studies, the compounds were also tested against cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa).

Feasible Production of Lignans and Neolignans in Root-derived In Vitro Cultures of Flax ( L.).

Flax lignans and neolignans impart health benefits, particularly in treating different types of cancers, due to their strong phytoestrogenic and antioxidant properties. The present study enhances the comprehension on the biosynthesis of antioxidant lignans and neolignans in root-derived in vitro cultures of flax (both callus and adventitious root). The results presented here clearly showed that the adventitious root culture efficiently produced a higher amount of lignans (at day 40) and neolignans (at day 30) than callus culture of flax.

Willingness to Pay for Community-Based Healthcare Insurance Schemes in Developing Countries: A Case of Lahore, Pakistan.

Background: Healthcare costs and poverty are significant barriers to achieving universal access to healthcare. Thus, Community-Based Health Insurance Schemes (CBHIS) are regarded as an influential instrument for providing access to healthcare. For this purpose, this study was carried out in order to assess the community's Willingness to Pay (WTP) for CBHIS and its determinants among the residents of Lahore City.

Multiple Risk Factors: A Challenge in the Management of Autism.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an emerging health problem involving 1 out of every 68 children. The incidence rate of autism has increased 3 folds during the last 3 decades. Due to the illusive picture of aetiology, a considerable number of autistic children fail to receive proper behavioural and medicational treatment.

An Overview of the Applications of Nanomaterials and Nanodevices in the Food Industry.

The efficient progress in nanotechnology has transformed many aspects of food science and the food industry with enhanced investment and market share. Recent advances in nanomaterials and nanodevices such as nanosensors, nano-emulsions, nanopesticides or nanocapsules are intended to bring about innovative applications in the food industry. In this review, the current applications of nanotechnology for packaging, processing, and the enhancement of the nutritional value and shelf life of foods are targeted.

Applications of Nanomaterials in Leishmaniasis: A Focus on Recent Advances and Challenges.

Leishmaniasis is a widely distributed protozoan vector-born disease affecting almost 350 million people. Initially, chemotherapeutic drugs were employed for leishmania treatment but they had toxic side effects. Various nanotechnology-based techniques and products have emerged as anti-leishmanial drugs, including liposomes, lipid nano-capsules, metal and metallic oxide nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, nanotubes and nanovaccines, due to their unique properties, such as bioavailability, lowered toxicity, targeted drug delivery, and biodegradability.

Advances in nanomaterials as novel elicitors of pharmacologically active plant specialized metabolites: current status and future outlooks.

During the last few decades major advances have shed light on nanotechnology. Nanomaterials have been widely used in various fields such as medicine, energy, cosmetics, electronics, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Owing to their unique physicochemical characteristics and nanoscale structures, nanoparticles (NPs) have the capacity to enter into plant cells and interact with intracellular organelles and various metabolites.

Green synthesis of ZnO hierarchical microstructures by and their antibacterial activity.

In this study, the leaves extract of , has been used for the first time to synthesize zinc oxide (ZnO) hierarchical microstructures. The solution combustion method was employed as a self-sustaining reaction between zinc nitrate and the leaves extract. The surface properties of leaves mediated ZnO microstructures were determined by UV-Visible spectral analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Cold field emission-scanning electron microscopy (CFE-SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

LC-MS/MS-based metabolic profiling of Escherichia coli under heterologous gene expression stress.

Escherichia coli is frequently exploited for genetic manipulations and heterologous gene expression studies. We have evaluated the metabolic profile of E. coli strain BL21 (DE3) RIL CodonPlus after genetic modifications and subjecting to the production of recombinant protein.

Osteogenic potential of hexane and dichloromethane fraction of Cissus quadrangularis on murine preosteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1 (subclone 4).

In continuation of the investigation of osteogenic potential of solvent fractions of ethanolic extract of Cissus quadrangularis (CQ), an ancient medicinal plant, most notably known for its bone-healing properties, to isolate and identify antiosteoporotic compounds. In the current study, we report the effect of hexane fraction (CQ-H) and dichloromethane fraction (CQ-D) of CQ on the differentiation and mineralization of mouse preosteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1 (subclone 4). Growth, viability, and proliferation assays revealed that low concentrations (0.

Evidence for the involvement of a GABAergic mechanism in the effectiveness of natural and synthetically modified incensole derivatives in neuropharmacological disorders: A computational and pharmacological approach.

In the course of our continuing exploration for novel bioactive lead compounds (s) from the species Boswellia, we have recently reported incensole derivatives isolated from Boswellia papyrifera Hochst. Given the known antidepressant-like effects of incensole and incensole acetate, we herein present that the low dose intraperitoneal administration of incensole derivatives, namely, incensfuran and incensone, showed significant antidepressant-like effects in the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Furthermore, these compounds were evaluated for their anxiolytic potential in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and light dark box (LDB) tests and anticonvulsant effects in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure tests.

Detection of Exon 12 and 14 Mutations in Janus Kinase 2 Gene Including a Novel Mutant in V617F Negative Polycythemia Vera Patients from Pakistan.

The most frequently reported genetic aberration among polycythemia vera (PV) patients is a gain of function mutation V617F in exon 14 of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) gene. However in many investigations, V617F negative PV patients have been reported to harbor mutations in JAK 2 exon 12. We investigated 24 patients with PV (diagnosed following 2016 WHO guidelines) to detect V617F mutation through allele specific PCR.

Ethyl acetate and n-butanol fraction of Cissus quadrangularis promotes the mineralization potential of murine pre-osteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1 (sub-clone 4).

In a sequel to investigate osteogenic potential of ethanolic extract of Cissus quadrangularis (CQ), the present study reports the osteoblast differentiation and mineralization potential of ethyl acetate (CQ-EA) and butanol (CQ-B) extracts of CQ on mouse pre-osteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1 (sub-clone 4) with an objective to isolate an antiosteoporotic compound. Growth curve, proliferation, and viability assays showed that both the extracts were nontoxic to the cells even at high concentration (100 µg/ml). The cell proliferation was enhanced at low concentrations (0.

Imidazole-pyrazole hybrids: Synthesis, characterization and in-vitro bioevaluation against α-glucosidase enzyme with molecular docking studies.

Herein, substituted imidazole-pyrazole hybrids (2a-2n) were prepared via a multi component reaction employing pyrazole-4-carbaldehydes (1a-1d), ammonium acetate, benzil and arylamines as reactants. All the new compounds were characterized through their spectral and elemental analyses. Further these compounds were tested against α-glucosidase enzyme.

Recent progress in the utilization of biosynthesized polyhydroxyalkanoates for biomedical applications - Review.

PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates) have emerged as biodegradable plastics more strongly in the 20th century. A wide range of bacterial species along with fungi, plants, oilseed crops and carbon sources have been used extensively to synthesize PHA on large scales. Alteration of PHA monomers in their structures and composition has led to the development of biodegradable and biocompatible polymers with highly specific mechanical properties.

A systematic study for removal of heavy metals from aqueous media using Sorghum bicolor: an efficient biosorbent.

This review is based on the adsorption characteristics of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) for removal of heavy metals from aqueous media. Different parameters like pH, temperature of the medium, sorghum concentration, sorghum particle size, contact time, stirring speed and heavy metal concentration control the adsorption efficiency of sorghum biomass for heavy metal ions. Sorghum biomass showed maximum efficiency for removal of heavy metal ions in the pH range of 5 to 6.

Antidepressant potential of novel flavonoids derivatives from sweet violet (Viola odorata L): Pharmacological, biochemical and computational evidences for possible involvement of serotonergic mechanism.

Plant-derived natural constituents are of great interest in modern drug discovery due to their natural diversity. Viola odorata L has been traditionally used for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. The present study was undertaken to isolate phytoconstituents including three flavonoids 5,7-Dihydroxy-3,6-dimethoxyflavone[1] 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3',5'dimethoxyflavone [2] and 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3'-methoxyflavone [3] from the whole plant of Viola odorata L and to investigate the antidepressant-like effects of these compounds and their possible mechanism of action using antagonists of the serotonergic, dopaminergic and adrenergic system.