Coping with drought: stress and adaptive mechanisms, and management through cultural and molecular alternatives in cotton as vital constituents for plant stress resilience and fitness

Increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and associated climatic variability is primarily responsible for inducing heat waves, flooding and drought stress. Among these, water scarcity is a major limitation to crop productivity. Water stress can severely reduce crop yield and both the severity and duration of the stress are critical. Water availability is a key driver for sustainable cotton production and its limitations can adversely affect physiological and biochemical processes of plants, leading towards lint yield reduction. Adaptation of crop husbandry techniques suitable for cotton crop requires a sound understanding of environmental factors, influencing cotton lint yield and fiber quality. Various defense mechanisms e.g. maintenance of membrane stability, carbon fixation rate, hormone regulation, generation of antioxidants and induction of stress proteins have been found play a vital role in plant survival under moisture stress. Plant molecular breeding plays a functional role to ascertain superior genes for important traits and can offer breeder ready markers for developing ideotypes. This review highlights drought-induced damage to cotton plants at structural, physiological and molecular levels. It also discusses the opportunities for increasing drought tolerance in cotton either through modern gene editing technology like clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR/Cas9), zinc finger nuclease, molecular breeding as well as through crop management, such as use of appropriate fertilization, growth regulator application and soil amendments.

Rat as an animal model for studying glutaredoxin-5 gene

Glutaredoxin-5 [Grx5] is a mitochondrial monothiol, participating in iron-sulfur clusters' biogenesis. It directly maintains normal cytosolic and mitochondrial iron homeostasis, participates in erythropoiesis and oxidative stress sensing, and regulates the oxidative-stress-induced apoptosis. The current investigation involved various techniques to associate rat- and human-Grx5 genes. The rat Grx5 protein's 3D structure was predicted [C-score = 1.10] and its stereochemical qualities were validated, with 88.2% of amino-acid-residues in the favoured regions of "Ramachandran plot". Z-score [-5.93] also confirmed reliability of the model. Superimposition results demonstrated 93% resemblance, and COFACTOR server predicted 10 conserved ligand-binding-sites in rat- and human-Grx5. Upstream the ATG start site, 26 conserved and 26 aligned transcription factors' binding sites were identified, indicating resemblances in transcriptional regulation of the gene in two organisms. Rat liver also expressed Grx5, indicating Grx5's possible involvement in hepatic iron metabolism not only in housekeeping but in pathophysiological conditions as well. The investigation concluded that rat could logically be used to study the role of Grx5 during health and disease conditions, understanding of which might prove crucial for targeting Grx5 for managing various acute or chronic ironinduced oxidative stress conditions

Banana fruit pulp and peel involved in antianxiety and antidepressant effects while invigorate memory performance in male mice: possible role of potential antioxidants

The present study was aimed to investigate the anti-stress and memory enhancing effects of banana [Musa sapientum L.] fruit pulp and peel extract in male mice. Locally bred albino Wistar mice were divided into control and 2 test groups [n=10]. Control rats received drinking water while test groups were treated with banana fruit pulp [600 mg/kg; oral administration] and extract of banana peel [400mg/kg; oral administration]. Behavioral activities of animals were monitored 14 days post administration of banana pulp and peel extract. Depression-like symptoms were measured by forced swimming test [FST]. Anxiety like behavior was monitored using light-dark activity [LDA] test and plus maze activity [PMA] test and memory functions of rats were assessed by morris water maze [MWM] test. Following 2 weeks animals were decapitated and brain was removed for estimation of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase [CAT], super oxide dismutase [SOD] and reduced glutathione [GSH]. In the present study both banana peel and pulp increased the time spent in light box and open arm, suggesting anxiolytic effects. A significant decrease in immobility time was observed in FST in both banana pulp and peel treated animals suggesting antidepressant like effects. Moreover, learning and memory assessed by MWM showed decrease in time to reach platform in both short term and long term memory test suggested increased memory function in both banana pulp and peel treated animals as compared to control animals. The activities of all antioxidant enzymes were significantly [p<0.05] greater in banana pulp and peel treated animals than control. It is concluded that both banana pulp and peel have anti-anxiety, antidepressant effect as well as strengthen the memory possibly via its antioxidant mechanism. Therefore, it is recommended that supplementation of banana could be taken a vital role in stress [anxiety and depression] relief and increased in memory function possibly by phytoantioxidants

Serum levels of leptin, zinc and tryptophan in obese subjects with sleep deficits

Obesity is an important risk factor for sleep disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the association of leptin, zinc and tryptophan [TRP] in obese subjects with sleep deficits [sleep apnea [SA], insomnia [IN]]. In this cross sectional case control, with the verbal and written consent 206, obese with sleep deficits and 30, non-obese/normal identified from various areas of Karachi, Pakistan. The socio-demographic data including; age, body mass index [BMI], education and residence, of participants was collected. After providing informed consent, fasting blood samples were taken and serum was collected. The serum concentration of leptin, zinc and TRP were analyzed by ELISA [Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay], FAAS [Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer] and HPLC [High performance liquid chromatography] respectively. A significant correlation was found between BMI [body mass index] and leptin, BMI and zinc, BMI and TRP. The correlation between leptin consecutively was significantly associated with zinc and TRP in obese patients. Sleep deficits elevated circulatory levels of leptin while lower zinc and TRP levels compared to levels seen in non-obese [Normal] subjects with no sleep deficits. Obese subjects exhibited significantly higher levels of leptin with sleep deficits compared with non-obese subjects with normal sleep pattern, while obese subjects with SA had significantly high levels of leptin than obese subjects with IN and IN+SA. Patients with sleep deficits had significantly lower levels of serum TRP and zinc than non-obese subjects with normal sleep pattern. Obese subjects with SA had significantly lower levels of zinc and elevated levels of TRP than obese subjects with IN. Obese patients with IN+SA had significantly lower levels of leptin and zinc than IN and SA , while TRP levels were significantly lower in subjects with IN than obese subjects with IN+SA and IN. These results suggest that elevated levels of leptin which are possibly by adiposity and lessened levels of zinc and TRP have a great impact on progression of obesity and their association can contribute to tempt sleep disorders

In vitro antimicrobial, antiprotozoal activities and heavy metals toxicity of different parts of Ballota pseudodictamnus [L.] Benth

The study was done to check the antimicrobial and antiprotozoal activity of different parts of Ballota pseudodictamnus [L.] Benth. These activities were then compared with the heavy metals toxicity of different parts, which plants accumulate in different concentrations in different parts. In in-vitro antileishmanial results ethanolic extract, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions in roots of Ballota pseudodictamnus [L.] Benth showed antileishmanial activity. The ethanol, w-butanol and ethyl acetate fraction in stem revealed inhibition of amastigote form of leishmania. The ethanolic extract, chloroform, and w-butanol fraction in leaves showed inhibition of leishmanial parasite. In heavy metals study, Chromium was above permissible value in all parts except in leaves. Nickel was above WHO limit in roots. Cadmium and lead were beyond permissible limits in entire plant parts. Results revealed that different parts of the plant have different inhibition properties. So each part of plant should be checked for antimicrobial and antiprotozoal assay separately. It is concluded that various metals accumulates with miscellaneous concentrations in different plant parts

Efficacy of chlorhexidine gel vs chlorhexidine rinses in reducing incidence of dry socket in mandibular third molar surgery

Objective of this study was to highlight the efficacy of chlorhexidine gel in prevention of dry socket in the post-operative period of mandibular third molar surgical extraction in comparison to chlorhexidine rinses. One hundred patients seen at the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Dentistry, CMH Lahore Medical College, were included in this study. The study was conducted from July 2012 to June 2013. The trial group [n=50] was instructed to apply 0.2% chlorhexidine gel to the extraction wound during the first postoperative week, while the control group [n=50] was prescribed a 0.2% chlorhexidine rinse for the same period. Results of this study revealed a 67% reduction in postoperative dry socket in the gel group [P < 0.05]. The incidence of postoperative dry socket in the gel group was 6% [3/50] as compared to 18% [9/50] in the mouthwash group. It was concluded that topical application of chlorhexidine gel to the extraction wound significantly reduced the incidence of dry socket

Marginal mandibular nerve and its relation with lower border of mandible and facial artery

Marginal mandibular nerve is a motor branch of facial nerve which supplies the muscles of the peri oral region. Surgical and cosmetic procedures might cause injury to this nerve resulting in functional loss and cosmetic imperfection. This study on the anatomical relation of marginal mandibular nerve, with respect to the lower border of mandible and facial artery, will benefit maxillofacial and plastic surgeons in its safe identification, hence preserving the functional integrity of this significant branch of facial nerve. Careful dissection was done on one hundred [100] hemi-faces of adult cadavers in Forensic and Anatomy departments of King Edward Medical University, Lahore from September 2009 to March 2010. Cadavers with scar, disfigurement or putrefaction in face and/or neck region were excluded. In 100 hemi faces, Marginal mandibular nerve present singly above the lower border of mandible was seen in 74% of cases. Marginal mandibular nerve having two rami, both located above the lower border was seen in 14% of cases. Two rami of marginal mandibular nerve, one present above and one below the lower border of mandible was seen in 6% of cases. Three rami of marginal mandibular nerve, two rami above and one below lower border of mandible were present in 6% of cases. In our population marginal mandibular nerve normally exits from anterior border of parotid gland above the lower border of mandible. When two or more rami of nerve are present; chances of lower most rami of nerve coursing below the inferior border of mandible increases. The nerve rami are present superficial to facial artery. It is at risk of iatrogenic injury overlying and anterior to massetter muscle where the nerve lies superficially underneath a thin layer of superficial musculoaponeurotic system

Frequency and seasonal variation of plasmodium species in southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

To determine the frequency of malaria and seasonal variation of Plasmodium species in southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Descriptive study. Department of Pathology Combined Military Hospital [CMH], Bannu, from 1[st] January 2010 to 31[st] December 2011. Five thousand eight hundred and seventy eight [5878] patients with symptoms of fever, nausea, malaise and body aches irrespective of age and gender were included in the study. Samples were collected, thin and thick smears of the samples were prepared and stained with Giemsa's stain. Thick film was used for screening for malarial parasites and species identification was done on thin smears. Out of 5878 patients, 1692 [28.8%] were found to be positive for malaria. Of them 1524 [90%] had Plasmodium vivax infection, while 199 [7.0%] patients were infected with Plasmodium falciparum, 49 [3.0%] of the patients were infected with both Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum. Plasmodium vivax was most common in the months of August 203 [12.3%] patients, September 235 [14.3%] patients and October 317 [20%], whereas Plasmodium falciparum infection was most common in the months of October 34 [28.6%] patients, November 19 [16%] patients and December 30 [25.2%] patients. Malaria is an endemic infectious disease in Pakistan, in the Southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal areas of North and South Waziristan. It is prevalent throughout the year and most noticeably from May to November

Number of rami of marginal mandibular nerve and its communication with other terminal motor branches of facial nerve in adult unclaimed cadavers - an anatomical study

Marginal mandibular nerve is one of the five terminal motor branches of facial nerve given in the substance of parotid gland. Injury to this nerve during surgical procedures hampers the actions of muscles of the lip and chin causing functional and aesthetic impairment. This study on number of rami and communication of marginal mandibular nerve will benefit maxillofacial, general, cosmetic /plastic surgeons to safely prevent iatrogenic injury to this important branch of facial nerve. Dissection of one hundred [100] hemi-faces of adult unclaimed cadavers of both genders was done [from September 2009 to March 2010] in Forensic and Anatomy departments of King Edward Medical University, Lahore. Cadavers with any scar or mutilated face/ neck were excluded from this study. In 100 hemi faces, number of rami of marginal mandibular nerve varies from 1-3. Single branch is most common [74%] followed by two [20%] and three rami [6%]. In 36% of cases communication was seen with buccal branch, 1% with cervical branch, with both buccal and cervical branches in 1% of cases. No communication with either buccal or cervical branch of facial nerve was seen in 62% of cases. Frequency of communication increases with number of Rami of marginal mandibular nerve. In our population single marginal mandibular nerve is most common [74%] which does not communicate with other branches of facial nerve frequently [74.3%]. Therefore transection of this nerve during surgical procedures can result in permanent paralysis

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A levels in individuals with and without coronary artery disease

To compare pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A [PAPP-A] levels in individuals with and without coronary artery disease [CAD]. Cross-sectional comparative study. Department of Chemical Pathology and Endocrinology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology [AFIP], Rawalpindi, in collaboration with Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology [AFIC], from September 2008 to March 2010. One hundred and twenty five [125] individuals both male and female were included in the study. Blood for PAPP-A and lipid profile was collected, just before angiography. On the basis of angiography, the individuals were divided into those with and without CAD. PAPP-A was analyzed by using Diagnostic System Laboratories [DSL] Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay [ELISA] kit and reading was taken by ELISA reader. Lipid profile was determined on automated analyzers Selectra-2 and Vitros 5.1. Amongst the 125 individuals, 41 individuals were without CAD whereas 84 individuals were having CAD. Mean PAPP-A levels were 0.74 +/- 0.35 mIU/L in those without CAD whereas mean PAPP-A levels in those with CAD were 1.35 +/- 0.57 mIU/L. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant [p < 0.001]. A PAPP-A cut off level of 0.85 mIU/L had a sensitivity and specificity of 78% and 70% respectively for diagnosing atherosclerotic CAD. PAPP-A is a potentially relevant marker of the presence and extent of coronary atherosclerosis as its levels are elevated in CAD as compared to individuals without CAD

Neuroprotective effect of vitamin c against ptz induced apoptotic neurodegeneration in adult rat brain

The present study was designed to observe the effect of PTZ on expression of caspsae-3, and to evaluate the neuroprotective role of vitamin C [vit-C] against PTZ-induced apoptotic neurodegeneration in adult rat brain. We observed that administration of a single conclusive dose of pentylenetetrazol [PTZ 50mg/kg] in adults rats induced epileptic seizure and increased activation of caspase-3 and caused neuronal death. Further, rats were injected with vit-C [250 mg/kg] 30 min before PTZ injection. The protective effect of vit-C against PTZ-induced apoptotic neurodegeneration in adult rat brain was observed using Western blot analysis and Nissl staining. The results showed that conclusive dose of PTZ-induced seizure, increased expression of caspase-3 and neuronal apoptosis in adult rat brain. Whereas, the pretreatment of vit-C along with PTZ showed significantly decreased expression of caspase-3 as compare to control group. Finally, our results indicated that vit-C can prevent some of the deleterious effect of seizure and neuronal degeneration induced by PTZ in adult rat brain