Harzianopyridone Supplementation Reduced Chromium Uptake and Enhanced Activity of Antioxidant Enzymes in Vigna radiata Seedlings Exposed to Chromium Toxicity.

This study explains the scarce information on the role of harzianopyridone (HZRP) in the alleviation of chromium (Cr) stress alleviation in Vigna radiata (L.). To this end, V. radiata seedlings primed with HZRP at 1 and 2 ppm were exposed to 50 mg kg-1 Cr for 30 days. Cr stress reduced growth, chlorophyll (Chl) content, net photosynthetic rate, gas-exchange attributes along with enhanced oxidative damages, i.e., electrolyte leakage (EL), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Application of HZRP enhanced intercellular carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, stomatal conductance, and net photosynthetic rate with decreased activity of the chlorophyllase (Chlase) enzyme in V. radiata seedlings exposed to Cr stressed conditions. To maintain Cr-induced oxidative damages, HZRP treatment increased the levels of antioxidant metabolites (phenolic and flavonoids) and the activity of antioxidative enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD)] in V. radiata seedlings grown in normal and Cr-polluted potted soil. In addition to this, glycine betaine content was also increased in plants grown in Cr-contaminated soil. It is proposed the potential role of supplementation of HZRP in mitigating Cr stress. Further research should be conducted to evaluate the potential of HZRP in the mitigation of abiotic stresses in plants.

The Development of a Green Innovative Bioactive Film for Industrial Application as a New Emerging Technology to Protect the Quality of Fruits.

Today, the most significant challenge encountered by food manufacturers is degradation in the food quality during storage, which is countered by expensive packing, which causes enormous monetary and environmental costs. Edible packaging is a potential alternative for protecting food quality and improving shelf life by delaying microbial growth and providing moisture and gas barrier properties. For the first time, the current article reports the preparation of the new films from Ditriterpenoids and Secomeliacins isolated from Melia azedarach (Dharek) Azadirachta indica plants to protect the quality of fruits. After evaluating these films, their mechanical, specific respirational, coating crystal elongation, elastic, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), film thickness, and nanoindentation test properties are applied to apple fruit for several storage periods: 0, 3, 6, 9 days. The fruits were evaluated for postharvest quality by screening several essential phytochemical, physiological responses under film coating and storage conditions. It was observed that prepared films were highly active during storage periods. Coated fruits showed improved quality due to the protection of the film, which lowered the transmission rate and enhanced the diffusion rate, followed by an increase in the shelf life. The coating crystals were higher in Film-5 and lower activity in untreated films. It was observed that the application of films through dipping was a simple technique at a laboratory scale, whereas extrusion and spraying were preferred on a commercial scale. The phytochemicals screening of treated fruits during the storage period showed that a maximum of eight important bioactive compounds were present in fruits after the treatment of films. It was resolved that new active films (1-5) were helpful in the effective maintenance of fruit quality and all essential compounds during storage periods. It was concluded that these films could be helpful for fruits growers and the processing industry to maintain fruit quality during the storage period as a new emerging technology.

Neoadjuvant chemo-irradiation in un-resectable carcinoma of rectum.

BACKGROUND: Rectal cancer is one of the most frequent gastrointestinal cancers. Conventionally surgery is the mainstay of treatment, however after surgery alone, local recurrence is high especially in locally advanced rectal cancer, i.e. tethered and fixed rectal cancer. This study was conducted to determine the role of neo-adjuvant (pre-operative) chemoirradiation in locally advanced carcinoma of the rectum to improve resectability, local control and survival. METHODS: Study was conducted in Radiation Oncology department of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center from May 97-Oct 99. Thirteen patients with unresectable/locally advanced adenocarcinoma rectum received neo-adjuvant chemoirradiation, 50 Gray to pelvis by box technique on Cobalt-60 machine with concomitant 5-Flurouracil 500 mg/m2 for first three and last three days followed by abdomino-perineal/low anterior resection. RESULTS: Neo-adjuvant chemoirradiation resulted in resectability rate of 92% and clinical down staging in 11/13 (84%) patients and pathological complete response in 2/13 (15%) patients and a local recurrence rate of 2/13 (15.38%). Non hematological toxicity (diarrhea grade 4--15%, erythema grade 3--23%, dysuria grade 1-2--38%) were main problems observed during neo-adjuvant chemoirradition. CONCLUSION: Concomitant preoperative chemoirradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer is associated with considerable clinical and pathological down staging. Tumor resectability is improved with potential for improved local control and is relatively safe with acceptable morbidity.