Evaluating the effectiveness of Toxfin and Novasil as dietary aflatoxin-binding agents in broilers for sustaining hepatic antioxidant capacity and intestinal health status during aflatoxin B1 exposure.

To assess the efficacy of Toxfin and Novasil as aflatoxin-binding agents in broilers exposed to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) from 11 to 30 days, 288 mixed-sex Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly allocated to four dietary groups: control feed, control feed + 0.25 mg/kg AFB1, AFB1 feed + 0.3% Toxfin, and AFB1 feed + 0.3% Novasil. The evaluation encompassed growth performance for the grower (11-20 days), finisher (21-30 days), and overall (11-30 days) phases, carcass characteristics, serum biochemical components, liver function enzymes, hepatic antioxidant capacity, AFB1 residue in the liver and kidney, and ileal morphology at 30 days, and apparent nutrient digestibility during 29-30 days. Exposure to AFB1 significantly resulted in reduced growth efficiency, lowered carcass yields, liver hypertrophy, impaired metabolic and hepatic functions, liver oxidative stress, disrupted ileum architecture, diminished nutrient digestibility, and accumulated AFB1 in the liver and kidney. Conversely, supplementation of Toxfin or Novasil significantly augmented body weight gain (BWG) and reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the finisher and overall phases, elevated BWG in the grower phase, heightened levels of glucose, hepatic protein, and glutathione peroxidase, declined malondialdehyde content, improved apparent metabolizable energy, and lowered AFB1 residues in the liver and kidney. Furthermore, Toxfin inclusion significantly reduced FCR during the grower phase, enhanced European production efficiency factor during the grower and overall phases, augmented dressing percentage, declined proportional liver weight, elevated concentrations of total protein, albumin, and total antioxidant capacity, heightened villus surface area, and boosted crude protein digestibility. To conclude, incorporating 0.3% Toxfin into broilers' feeds confers a more effectual safeguard than Novasil against the deleterious consequences of AFB1 exposure.

Influence of indole acetic acid and trehalose, with and without zinc oxide nanoparticles coated urea on tomato growth in nitrogen deficient soils.

Nitrogen deficiency in low organic matter soils significantly reduces crop yield and plant health. The effects of foliar applications of indole acetic acid (IAA), trehalose (TA), and nanoparticles-coated urea (NPCU) on the growth and physiological attributes of tomatoes in nitrogen-deficient soil are not well documented in the literature. This study aims to explore the influence of IAA, TA, and NPCU on tomato plants in nitrogen-deficient soil. Treatments included control, 2mM IAA, 0.1% TA, and 2mM IAA + 0.1% TA, applied with and without NPCU. Results showed that 2mM IAA + 0.1% TA with NPCU significantly improved shoot length (~ 30%), root length (~ 63%), plant fresh (~ 48%) and dry weight (~ 48%), number of leaves (~ 38%), and leaf area (~ 58%) compared to control (NPCU only). Additionally, significant improvements in chlorophyll content, total protein, and total soluble sugar, along with a decrease in antioxidant activity (POD, SOD, CAT, and APX), validated the effectiveness of 2mM IAA + 0.1% TA with NPCU. The combined application of 2mM IAA + 0.1% TA with NPCU can be recommended as an effective strategy to enhance tomato growth and yield in nitrogen-deficient soils. This approach can be integrated into current agricultural practices to improve crop resilience and productivity, especially in regions with poor soil fertility. To confirm the efficacy of 2mM IAA + 0.1% TA with NPCU in various crops and climatic conditions, additional field studies are required.

Physio-biochemical mechanism of melatonin seed priming in stimulating growth and drought tolerance in bread wheat.

Drought stress (DS) adversely affects a plant's development and growth by negatively altering the plant's physio-biochemical functions. Previous investigations have illustrated that seed priming with growth regulators is an accessible, affordable, and effective practice to elevate a plant's tolerance to drought stress. Melatonin (MT) is derived from the precursor tryptophan and can improve germination, biomass, and photosynthesis under stress conditions. The current study examined the effect of melatonin seed priming on two wheat cultivars (Fakhar-e-Bhakkar and Akber-19) cultivated under severe drought conditions (35% FC). There were 6 levels of melatonin (i.e., M0 = control, M1 = 1 mg L- 1, M2 = 2 mg L- 1, M3 = 3 mg L- 1, M4 = 4 mg L- 1 and M5 = mg L- 1) which were used for seed priming. Our results confirmed that seed priming with M2 = 2 mgL- 1 concentration of MT alleviates the negative effects of DS by boosting the germination rate by 54.84% in Akber-19 and 33.33% in Fakhar-e-Bhakkar. Similarly, leaf-relative water contents were enhanced by 22.38% and 13.28% in Akber-19 and Fakhar-e-Bhakkar, respectively. Melatonin pre-treatment with 2 mgL- 1 significantly enhanced fresh and dry biomass of shoot and root, leaf area, photosynthetic pigments, osmoprotectants accumulation [total soluble proteins (TSP), total free amino acids (TFAA), proline, soluble sugars, glycine betaine (GB)] and lowered the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production by elevating antioxidants [Ascorbic acid, catalase (CAT), Phenolics, peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)] activity under drought stress (DS). Meanwhile, under control conditions (NoDS), the melatonin treatment M1 = 1 mgL- 1 effectively enhanced all the growth-related physio-biochemical attributes in both wheat cultivars. In the future, more investigations are suggested on different crops under variable agroclimatic conditions to declare 2 mgL- 1 melatonin as an efficacious amendment to alleviate drought stress.

Exploring the synergistic benefits of biochar and gibberellic acid in alleviating cadmium toxicity.

Cadmium (Cd) toxicity significantly threatens agricultural productivity and food safety. Developing effective strategies to enhance plant tolerance to Cd stress is essential. This study investigates the synergistic effects of biochar (BC) and gibberellic acid (GA3) on mitigating Cd toxicity in maize (Zea mays), focusing on their impact on oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activities. Soil samples were collected from the Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies (CIDS) and analyzed for trace metal ions and other properties. Biochar was produced from fruit and vegetable waste, washed, washed, deashed, and mixed with 10 ppm GA3. FH-1036 hybrid maize seeds were sterilized and planted in pots containing soil with varying Cd levels (0, 8, and 16 mg Cd/kg soil). Twelve treatments were established, including control, GA3, BC, and their combinations under different Cd stress levels. Plants were irrigated to maintain 60% field capacity and harvested at the V10 growth stage. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were measured in roots, stems, and leaves. Statistical analysis was performed using OriginPro 2021, with ANOVA and Fisher's LSD test used to determine significant differences. GA3 and BC treatments significantly reduced H2O2 levels in maize roots, stems and leaves under Cd stress. The combined treatment of GA3 + BC showed the most significant reduction in H2O2 levels across all plant parts, reducing root H2O2 by 50%, stem H2O2 by 55%, and leaf H2O2 by 53% under severe Cd stress (16 mg Cd/kg). SOD activity increased under non-stress conditions but decreased under Cd stress, with the highest activity observed in the combined treatment. POD activity followed a similar pattern, with GA3 + BC treatment resulting in the most significant increases under non-stress conditions and the least reductions under Cd stress. CAT activity showed substantial increases with GA3 + BC treatment, particularly under severe Cd stress, with a notable rise over the control. APX activity also exhibited enhancements with GA3 and BC treatments, especially in the combined treatment under various Cd stress levels. This study highlights the potential of combined BC and GA3 treatments in improving Cd stress tolerance in maize. Future research should focus on field trials and the long-term impacts of these treatments on crop productivity and soil health.

Environmental sustainability and waste conversion of Prosopis juliflora fibre-reinforced ZnO nanofiller particulates PLA composite- mechanical and thermal analysis.

The presence of large quantities of Prosopis juliflora (PJ) fibers in natural habitats presents substantial threats to the environment and economies of numerous developing countries. Utilizing natural fibers in polymer composites can effectively enhance their characteristics. The primary objective of this study is to create a composite material by combining Prosopis Juliflora (PJ) fiber with a polylactic matrix that has been combined with zinc oxide nanofillers. The fabrication process will involve the hand layup technique. In order to have a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical characteristics, thermal behavior, and thermal stability of the PJ composite, it is necessary to undertake additional investigations. The results showed that the inclusion of zinc oxide filler enhanced the tensile strength (67.29 MPa), flexural strength (64.27 MPa), compressive strength (56.79 MPa), and impact energy (34 J) in sample S5. Additionally, the thermal properties, including thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, and short-term heat resistant capacity, were also improved by the addition of zinc oxide filler in sample S5. The deterioration temperature of the PJ composite was determined to be between 312 and 342 °C using thermogravimetric analysis. The failure mode of the PJ composite was investigated using scanning electron microscopy.

Association of water stress and Fusarium solani exacerbated Dalbergia sissoo dieback disease.

Globally, there is a growing concern about tree mortality due to harsh climates and changes in pest and disease patterns. However, experimental studies on the interactions between biotic and abiotic stresses in plants are relatively scarce. In this study, we investigated the interaction between Fusarium solani and water-stressed Dalbergia sissoo saplings. We postulated that under drought conditions, sissoo plants would become more susceptible to dieback infestation. Five fungi, including Fusarium oxysporum, Curvularia lunata, Cladophialophora carrionii, Alternaria alternaria, and Fusarium solani, were isolated from an old shisham tree showing advanced symptoms of dieback infestation. These fungi were identified based on their ITS sequence homology and spore characteristics. Dieback development was more pronounced in plants experiencing water stress, regardless of their predisposition or whether it occurred simultaneously. Lesions were more noticeable and longer in predisposed saplings (3.8cm), followed by simultaneous (2.4cm) and much smaller lesions in seedlings that were inoculated and well-watered (0.24cm). Progressive browning of the upper leaves, which lowers sapling height in predisposed, simultaneous, and well-watered inoculated saplings to 8.09 inches, 5.93 inches, and 17.42 inches, are typical dieback symptoms. Water stress causes the loss of chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids, which reduces stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and photosynthetic activity, leading to poor development and mortality. Similarly, predisposed, simultaneous, and well-watered inoculated seedlings expressed increased activity of CAT (22.57, 18.148, and 9.714 U/mg) and POD (3.0, 4.848, 1.246 U/mg), to reduce the damage caused by elevated levels of H2O2 expression. It is concluded that water stress is the main cause of dieback in shisham saplings that subsequently disposed of infected seedlings to secondary agents such as fungi and insects in the advanced stages of the dieback with prolonged drought stress. The lack of dieback in native populations is attributed to the absence of several ecological stresses, including water stress, extended droughts, waterlogging, and salinity. This study emphasizes the need for additional research into the effects of abiotic factors linked with fungal diseases on the long-term production and management of D. sissoo in Pakistan.

Potential of kaempferol and caffeic acid to mitigate salinity stress and improving potato growth.

Salinity stress adversely affects plant growth by disrupting water uptake, inducing ion toxicity, initiating osmotic stress, impairing growth, leaf scorching, and reducing crop yield. To mitigate this issue, the application of kaempferol (KP), caffeic acid (CA), and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) emerges as a promising technology. Kaempferol, a flavonoid, protects plants from oxidative stress, while caffeic acid, a plant-derived compound, promotes growth by regulating physiological processes. PGPR enhances plant health and productivity through growth promotion, nutrient uptake, and stress mitigation, providing a sustainable solution. However, combining these compounds against drought requires further scientific justification. That's why the current study was conducted using 4 treatments, i.e., 0, 20 µM KP, 30 µM CA, and 20 µM KP + 30 µM CA without and with PGPR (Bacillus altitudinis). There were 4 replications following a completely randomized design. Results showed that 20 µM KP + 30 µM CA with PGPR caused significant enhancement in potato stem length (14.32%), shoot root, and leaf dry weight (16.52%, 11.04%, 67.23%), than the control. The enrichment in potato chlorophyll a, b, and total (31.86%, 46.05%, and 35.52%) was observed over the control, validating the potential of 20 µM KP + 30 µM CA + PGPR. Enhancement in shoot N, P, K, and Ca concentration validated the effective functioning of 20 µM KP + 30 µM CA with PGPR evaluated to control. In conclusion, 20 µM KP + 30 µM CA with PGPR is the recommended amendment to alleviate salinity stress in potatoes.

Effect of caffeic acid and cobalt sulfate on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants in the presence and absence of nanoparticles-coated urea.

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are a significant food crop cultivated around the world. Caffeic acid (CA) can enhance plant growth by promoting antioxidant activity and stimulating root development, contributing to overall plant health and vigor. Cobalt sulfate (CoSO4) boosts plant growth by promoting nitrogen (N) fixation, healthier root development, and chlorophyll synthesis, enhancing photosynthesis and overall plant health. Nanoparticle-coated urea (NPCU) improves nutrient uptake, promoting plant growth efficiency and reducing environmental impact. This study investigates the effects of combining CA, CoSO4, and NPCU as amendments on potatoes with and without NPCU. Four treatments, control, 20 µM CA, 0.15 mg/L CoSO4, and 20 µM CA + 0.15 mg/L CoSO4 with and without NPCU, were applied in four replications using a completely randomized design. Results demonstrate that the combination of CA + CoSO4 with NPCU led to an increase in potato stem length (~ 6%), shoot dry weight (~ 15%), root dry weight (~ 9%), and leaf dry weight (~ 49%) compared to the control in nutrient stress. There was a significant rise in chlorophyll a (~ 27%), chlorophyll b (~ 37%), and total chlorophyll (~ 28%) over the control under nutrient stress also showed the potential of CA + CoSO4 with NPCU. In conclusion, the findings suggest that applying CA + CoSO4 with NPCU is a strategy for alleviating potato nutrient stress.

In vitro cancer cell line luminescence-based validation of anticancer phytocompounds obtained from Leucas biflora against HELA cervical and A549 lung cancer cells.

Current research aims to screen the anticancer prospective of Leucas biflora phytocompounds against apoptotic regulator target protein essential for cancer progression. In gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis major phytocompounds such as tetracosahexaene, squalene, phytol, 22-stigmasten-3-one, stigmasterol, fluorene, and 1,4-dihydro were identified in ethanolic leaf extract of Leucas biflora. In vitro, the free radical scavenging potential of ethanolic leaf extract of Leucas biflora was examined through its DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging potential IC50 value 15.35 and 13.20 µg/ml, respectively. Dose-dependent cytotoxicity was monitored against both A549 lung cancer and HELA cervical cancer cells. Leucas biflora ethanolic leaf extract highly reduces the cell viability of both HELA and A549 cells in in vitro cytotoxicity assays. Leucas biflora ethanolic extract produces 23.76% and 29.76% viability rates against A549 lung and HELA cervical cancer cell lines, and their IC50 values differ slightly at 95.80 and 90.40 µg/ml, respectively. In molecular docking analysis lung cancer target protein-ligand complex 5Y9T-16132746 showed a maximum score of -14 kcal/mol by exhibiting stable binding affinity and interactions among all screened complexes. Based on docking score nine phytocompounds from Leucas biflora and two reference standard drugs were chosen for further analysis. Further validation reveals that the fluorene, 1,4-dihydro possess good ADMET, Bioactivity and density functional theory indices.

Productivity and profitability of black rice as affected by transplanting methods and crop geometry.

Black rice is a highly nutritious cereal that has been introduced to Nepal recently. Due to its late introduction, only a few agronomic research have been conducted so far. Hence, farmers are not aware about the appropriate transplanting methods and cropping geometry for profitable black rice cultivation. To fulfill the research gap and to establish a basic benchmark for further studies, the research focuses on responses of two black rice genotypes at different transplanting methods and cropping geometry. The profitability analysis with respect to transplanting methods and cropping geometry revealed, transplanting 21 days old seedlings with any geometrical pattern would yield and profit more as compared to SRI. Similarly, farmers can get a highest net revenue of 9379.3 $ at the B/C ratio of 12.07 from fine black rice as compared to coarse black rice that has a net revenue of 4485.7 $ at the B/C of 7.38. The highest productivity (2.70 t ha-1), net revenue (6018.5 $), and B/C ratio (13.7) were observed at the crop geometry of 20 cm × 15 cm for coarse black rice. Whereas, the highest yield (4.60 t ha-1), net revenue (10889.8 $), and B/C ratio (19.5) was observed in 20 cm × 10 cm for fine black rice. The higher net revenue and B/C ratio of premium black rice genotypes was due to their higher market price. The correlation analysis suggested tillering index (Ti) and net biomass accumulated up to 60 days after transplanting (DAT) had the highest positive correlation with yield of both black rice genotypes. Hence, the authors recommend researchers to work on additional agronomic practices that enhance the tillering index and net biomass production up to 60 DAT considering transplanting methods yield more as compared to SRI and crop geometry of 20 cm × 15 cm and 20 cm × 10 cm are the most productive and profitable cropping geometry for coarse and fine black rice genotypes, respectively.

Oxazine drug-seed induces paraptosis and apoptosis through reactive oxygen species/JNK pathway in human breast cancer cells.

Small molecule-driven JNK activation has been found to induce apoptosis and paraptosis in cancer cells. Herein pharmacological effects of synthetic oxazine (4aS, 7aS)-3-((4-(4­chloro-2-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl)methyl)-4-phenyl-4, 4a, 5, 6, 7, 7a-hexahydrocyclopenta[e] [1,2]oxazine (FPPO; BSO-07) on JNK-driven apoptosis and paraptosis has been demonstrated in human breast cancer (BC) MDA-MB231 and MCF-7 cells respectively. BSO-07 imparted significant cytotoxicity in BC cells, induced activation of JNK, and increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. It also enhanced the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins like PARP, Bax, and phosphorylated p53, while decreasing the levels of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and Survivin. Furthermore, the drug altered the expression of proteins linked to paraptosis, such as ATF4 and CHOP. Treatment with N-acetyl-cysteine (antioxidant) or SP600125 (JNK inhibitor) partly reversed the effects of BSO-07 on apoptosis and paraptosis. Advanced in silico bioinformatics, cheminformatics, density Fourier transform and molecular electrostatic potential analysis further demonstrated that BSO-07 induced apoptosis and paraptosis via the ROS/JNK pathway in human BC cells.

Rice Promoter Editing: An Efficient Genetic Improvement Strategy.

Gene expression levels in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and other plant species are determined by the promoters, which directly control phenotypic characteristics. As essential components of genes, promoters regulate the intensity, location, and timing of gene expression. They contain numerous regulatory elements and serve as binding sites for proteins that modulate transcription, including transcription factors and RNA polymerases. Genome editing can alter promoter sequences, thereby precisely modifying the expression patterns of specific genes, and ultimately affecting the morphology, quality, and resistance of rice. This paper summarizes research on rice promoter editing conducted in recent years, focusing on improvements in yield, heading date, quality, and disease resistance. It is expected to inform the application of promoter editing and encourage further research and development in crop genetic improvement with promote.

Phosphorus High-rate application through band placement improved cotton productivity under arid climate.

The plant-available soil phosphorus rate and methods for applying phosphatic fertilizer and soil P-fixation capacity are critical factors for lower cotton productivity in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Hence, a two-year study was conducted in Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan, Pakistan, to examine the effects of various P rates and application methods on cotton crop output during the growing seasons of 2014 and 2015. Phosphorus was applied in four rates (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha-1 P2O5) using broadcast, band application, and fertigation methods. Results indicated that the impact of P rates was statistically significant on plant height, the number of nodes, monopodial and sympodial branches, leaf area index, harvest index, and seed cotton yield. The greater P application (120 kg P2O5 ha-1) had a better effect on cotton productivity than the lower application rates (0, 40, and 80 kg P2O5 ha-1). The band application responded better on nodes plant-1, sympodial branches plant-1, boll weight, leaf area index, lint yield, and harvest during the growing season 2015. Therefore, by adopting the band application coupled with 120 kg P2O5 ha-1 rather than the conventional method of broadcast, productivity of cotton crops could be increased.

Analysis and optimization of machining parameters of AZ91 alloy nanocomposite with the Influences of nano ZrO2 through vacuum diecast process.

The magnesium alloy composite is a vital material for automotive applications due to its features like high stiffness, superior damping resistance, high strength, and lightweight. Here, the motto of research is to establish the AZ91 alloy nanocomposite with the exposures of 0, 1, 3, and 5 volume percentages (vol%) of nano zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) particles (50nm) through fluid stir metallurgy route associated with 1x105 Pa vacuum die cast process. Exposures on structural morphology, hardness, and impact toughness of composite are analyzed and identified as the nano AZ91 alloy composite enclosed with 5vol% is homogenous particle dispersion, enhanced hardness (97.6HV), and optimum toughness of 21.2J/mm2. However, composite faces machining difficulties due to the hard abrasive particles with higher hardness, resulting in tool wear. This experiment predicts the optimum mill parameters during the end mill operation of magnesium alloy nanocomposite (AZ91/5vol%) by using a tungsten carbide coated end mill cutter to attain the maximum metal removal rate with low surface roughness and tool wear analyzed via the general linear model (GLM) ANOVA approach. The input conditions for end milling operation vary, like feed rate (0.1 -0.4mm/rev), depth of cut (0.05 -0.2mm), and spindle speed (250-1000rpm). During the ANOVA GLM approach, the L16 design experiment is fixed for further interaction analysis. The results predicted by the depth to cut and feed rate were dominant and played a major role in deciding the tool wear, surface roughness, and MRR.

Remediation of lead toxicity with waste-bio materials from aqueous solutions in fixed-bed column using response surface methodology.

Heavy metal ions pose significant risks to human health, pelagic, and several other life forms due to perniciousness, tendency to accumulate, and resistance to biodegradation. Waste bio-materials extend a budding alternative as low-cost adsorbent to address the removal of noxious pollutants from wastewater on account of being cost-effective and exhibiting exceptional adsorption capacities. The current exploration was accomplished to gauge the performance of raw and modified human hair concerning lead scavenging in a down-flow fixed bed column. The appraisal of column performance under varying operational parameters encompassing bed height (15-45 cm), influent metal ion concentration (60-140 mg L-1), and a solution flow rate (20-40 mL min-1) was performed by breakthrough curve analysis. The consequences acquired were evaluated using the Yoon Nelson, Thomas, Adam-Bohart, and Bed Depth Service Time (BDST) model. Among these employed models, Bed Depth Service Time (BDST) and Thomas models exhibited the highest R-squared value compared to the Yoon Nelson and Adam-Bohart's model for most cases. In addition, the optimization of lead adsorption was followed using the Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal conditions (desirability-1.00) for achieving a goal of maximum percent removal of lead ions were marked to be a bed height of 42.79 cm, solution flow rate of 20.92 mL min-1, and an initial metal concentration of 139.51 mg L-1. Under these optimized conditions, the percent amputation of lead in a fixed bed was observed to be 82.31 %, while the results of the experiment performed approximately under these optimized conditions revealed a percent removal of 85.05 %, reflecting a reasonable conformity with values acquired through Box-Behnken design.

Deciphering the impact of nitrogen morphologies distribution on nitrogen and biomass accumulation in tobacco plants.

Background and aims: Nitrogen (N) distribution in plants is intricately linked to key physiological functions, including respiration, photosynthesis, structural development, and nitrogen storage. However, the specific effects of different N morphologies on N accumulation and plant growth are poorly understood. Our research specifically focused on determining how different N morphologies affect N absorption and biomass accumulation. Methods: This study elucidated the impact of different application rates (CK: 0 g N/plant; T1: 4 g N/plant; T2: 8 g N/plant) of N fertilizer on N and biomass accumulation in tobacco cultivars Hongda and K326 at different growth stages. Results: Our findings emphasize the critical role of N distribution in various plant parts, including leaves, stems, and roots, in determining the complex mechanisms of N and biomass accumulation in tobacco. We found that in relation to total N, a greater ratio of water-soluble N (N w) in leaves facilitated N accumulation in leaves. In contrast, an increased ratio of SDS (detergent)-insoluble N (N in-SDS) in leaves and non-protein N (N np) in roots hindered this increase. Additionally, our results indicate that a greater proportion of N np in leaves has a negative impact on biomass accumulation in leaves. Furthermore, elevated levels of N in-SDS, N w, and N np in roots, and N np in leaves adversely affected biomass accumulation in tobacco leaves. The Hongda cultivar exhibited greater biomass and N accumulation abilities as compared to K326. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the significant role of distribution of N morphologies on plant growth, as well as N and biomass accumulation in tobacco plants. Understanding N distribution allows farmers to optimize N application, minimizing environmental losses and maximizing yield for specific cultivars. These insights advance sustainable agriculture by promoting efficient resource use and reducing environmental impact.

Unveiling the efficacy of Bacillus faecalis and composted biochar in alleviating arsenic toxicity in maize.

Arsenic (As) contamination is a major environmental pollutant that adversely affects plant physiological processes and can hinder nutrients and water availability. Such conditions ultimately resulted in stunted growth, low yield, and poor plant health. Using rhizobacteria and composted biochar (ECB) can effectively overcome this problem. Rhizobacteria have the potential to enhance plant growth by promoting nutrient uptake, producing growth hormones, and suppressing diseases. Composted biochar can enhance plant growth by improving aeration, water retention, and nutrient cycling. Its porous structure supports beneficial microorganisms, increasing nutrient uptake and resilience to stressors, ultimately boosting yields while sequestering carbon. Therefore, the current study was conducted to investigate the combined effect of previously isolated Bacillus faecalis (B. faecalis) and ECB as amendments on maize cultivated under different As levels (0, 300, 600 mg As/kg soil). Four treatments (control, 0.5% composted biochar (0.5ECB), B. faecalis, and 0.5ECB + B. faecalis) were applied in four replications following a completely randomized design. Results showed that the 0.5ECB + B. faecalis treatment led to a significant rise in maize plant height (~ 99%), shoot length (~ 55%), root length (~ 82%), shoot fresh (~ 87%), and shoot dry weight (~ 96%), root fresh (~ 97%), and dry weight (~ 91%) over the control under 600As stress. There was a notable increase in maize chlorophyll a (~ 99%), chlorophyll b (~ 81%), total chlorophyll (~ 94%), and shoot N, P, and K concentration compared to control under As stress, also showing the potential of 0.5ECB + B. faecalis treatment. Consequently, the findings suggest that applying 0.5ECB + B. faecalis is a strategy for alleviating As stress in maize plants.

Effectiveness of Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicates and Discarded Date Pits as Dietary Adsorbents for Aflatoxin B1 in Enhancing Broiler Chicken Productive Performance, Hepatic Function, and Intestinal Health.

The research aimed to evaluate how effective hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicates (HSCASs) and discarded date pits (DDPs) are as dietary adsorbents for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in enhancing the performance and health of broiler chickens aged 16 to 30 days. A total of 240 Ross 308 straight-run broilers were randomly allocated into four dietary groups, each with 10 replicates: a control diet, a control diet with 1000 ppb AFB1, an AFB1-contaminated diet with 0.5% HSCAS, and an AFB1-contaminated diet with 4% DDP. Incorporating HSCASs or DDPs into the AFB1-contaminated diet resulted in significant improvements across various parameters, involving increased body weight, improved feed conversion ratio, higher dressing percentage, decreased relative weights of kidney and spleen, elevated serum levels of total protein, globulin, and glucose, reduced serum alanine aminotransferase activity, and heightened hepatic protein concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity, along with diminished hepatic malondialdehyde content and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activity. Moreover, both supplements led to increased ileal villus height and surface area, enhanced apparent nitrogen-corrected metabolizable energy digestibility, and decreased AFB1 residues in the liver and kidney. Moreover, the dietary inclusion of DDPs significantly decreased relative liver weight, raised serum albumin concentration, lowered serum alkaline phosphatase activity, enhanced hepatic total antioxidant capacity level, and augmented ileal villus width. Conversely, the dietary addition of HSCASs significantly heightened apparent crude protein digestibility. In conclusion, the inclusion of HSCASs and DDPs in AFB1-contaminated diets can mitigate the toxic effects of AFB1 on broiler chickens, with DDPs exhibiting additional advantages in optimizing liver function and gut morphology.

Vanillic Acid Nanocomposite: Synthesis, Characterization Analysis, Antimicrobial, and Anticancer Potentials.

Recently, nanoparticles have received considerable attention owing to their efficiency in overcoming the limitations of traditional chemotherapeutic drugs. In our study, we synthesized a vanillic acid nanocomposite using both chitosan and silver nanoparticles, tested its efficacy against lung cancer cells, and analyzed its antimicrobial effects. We used several characterization techniques such as ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to determine the stability, morphological characteristics, and properties of the biosynthesized vanillic acid nanocomposites. Furthermore, the vanillic acid nanocomposites were tested for their antimicrobial effects against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. The data showed that the nanocomposite effectively inhibited microbes, but its efficacy was less than that of the individual silver and chitosan nanoparticles. Moreover, the vanillic acid nanocomposite exhibited anticancer effects by increasing the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins (BAX, Casp3, Casp7, cyt C, and p53) and decreasing the gene expression of Bcl-2. Overall, vanillic acid nanocomposites possess promising potential against microbes, exhibit anticancer effects, and can be effectively used for treating diseases such as cancers and infectious diseases.

A Julolidine Aldehyde Dansyl Hydrazine Schiff Base as Fluorescence Chemosensor for Zn2+ ions Recognition and its Application.

The Schiff base fluorescent probe (Dz-Jul), containing julolidine aldehyde and dansyl hydrazine, was derived using a simple condensation. This chemosensor showed high selectivity towards Zn2+ and quick response (170 s) in DMSO/H2O solutions (8/2, v/v, pH 7.2 buffer). A fluorometric titration determined that Dz-Jul-Zn2+ has a binding ratio of 1:1, and the association constant (Ka) is 1.03 × 105 M-1. The Dz-Jul detection limit of Zn2+ ions was 15 nM, much lower than the WHO standard (76.0 nM). DFT, ESI mass, and FTIR spectral demonstrated a plausible complexation mode between Dz-Jul and Zn2+ ions. In actual water samples, Zn2+ has been detected with good detection performance using Dz-Jul. Additionally, Dz-Jul-coated test strips allowed for rapid and qualitative monitoring of Zn2+ ions in a visible manner.