Nitric oxide mitigates vanadium toxicity in soybean (Glycine max L.) by modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant system.

Vanadium (V) induced hazardous effects posturing a serious concern on crop production as well as food security. However, the nitric oxide (NO)-mediated alleviation of V-induced oxidative stress in soybean seedlings is still unknown. Therefore, this research was designed to explore the effects of exogenous NO to mitigate the V-induced phytotoxicity in soybean plants. Our upshots disclosed that NO supplementation considerably improved the plant biomass, growth, and photosynthetic attributes by regulating the carbohydrates, and plants biochemical composition, which further improved the guard cells, and stomatal aperture of soybean leaves. Additionally, NO regulated the plant hormones, and phenolic profile which restricted the V contents absorption (65.6%), and translocation (57.9%) by maintaining the nutrient acquisition. Furthermore, it detoxified the excessive V contents, and upsurged the antioxidants defense mechanism to lower the MDA, and scavenge ROS production. The molecular analysis further verified the NO-based regulation of lipid, sugar production, and degradation as well as detoxification mechanism in the soybean seedlings. Exclusively, we elaborated very first time the behind mechanism of V-induced oxidative stress alleviation by exogenous NO, hence illustrating the NO supplementation role as a stress alleviating agent for soybean grown in V contaminated areas to elevate the crop development and production.

Plant growth promoters mediated quality and yield attributes of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) ecotypes under salinity stress.

Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn (Astraceae) is a well-reputed medicinal plant mostly utilized for silymarin (Sily) content and oil production, however, the information about Sily contents in achene part is still fragmented under different climatic conditions. In this study four milk thistle ecotypes from Faisalabad (FSD), Gujranwala (GUJ), Quetta (QTA), and Kallar kahar (KK) having an altered achene color were analyzed under salt stress. Application of plant growth promoters (PGPs) is one of the solution for ameliorating the effect of salinity and increasing the quantity and quality traits of milk thistle, so ascorbic acid (AsA), thiourea (TU), and moringa leaf extract (MLE) were soil supplied after developing salinity stress (120 mM with irrigation) at germination stage. Predetermined levels were selected for PGPs such as AsA (500 µM), MLE (3%), and TU (250 µM). Results revealed that all yield related attributes were significantly decreased, while secondary metabolites, pericarp epidermis, pericarp parenchyma, and pericarp seed integument increased under salinity stress. Data suggested that PGPs treatment was helpful to alleviate the deleterious effects of salinity stress and enhance the milk thistle quality and quantity parameters. The ecotypic variations with altered achene color patterns represent an advantage for QTA ecotypes for higher Sily extraction under salt stressed conditions.

Investigation of Distinctive Morpho-Physio and Biochemical Alterations in Desi Chickpea at Seedling Stage Under Irrigation, Heat, and Combined Stress.

Global climatic instabilities have become the main reason for drastic yield losses in chickpea. This shift in climate could be a great threat in the future for food security in developing countries. Chickpea production is badly hampered by heat stress coupled with drought stress, and these factors can reduce yields by 40-45%. To mitigate yield losses due these abiotic factors, irrigation supplementation could be the best strategy. The present study aimed to (i) investigate the tolerance response of 9 desi chickpea genotypes against heat stress (H), irrigation (I), and a combination of both (I+H) through morphophysiological and biochemical indices at early growth stage, and (ii) assess yield performance across multiple locations of the country. Results revealed that under irrigation treatment, all genotypes perform well, but the genotypes D-09027 and D-09013 showed best performance because, as compared to control, they retained root length, seedling fresh weight, root fresh weight, root dry weight, esterase activity, Malondialdehyde (MDA) content, total chlorophyll, and total carotenoids. Shoot length and total phenolic contents (TPC) increased in both genotypes. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) increased in D-09027 and retained in D-09013. Catalase activity increased in D-09013 and retained in D-09027. Protease activity, total water potential and osmotic potential decreased in both genotypes and depicted high yield potential with 27 and 30% increase in yield over Bhakhar-2011 (check), respectively. In case of heat stress, maximum tolerance was found in genotypes CH104/06 and D-09013 with no change in shoot and root length, seedling dry weight, shoot fresh and dry weight, root dry weight, relative water content, turgor water potential, catalase (CAT) activity, esterase activity, increased root fresh weight, peroxidase activity (POD), ascorbate peroxidase activity (APX), and lycopene with low accumulation of protease and Malondialdehyde content (MDA). Both genotypes depicted high yield potential with 30 and 43% increase in yield over check across multiple locations of the country. Under the combined treatment, most genotypes showed good performance, while CH104/06 was selected as best performer genotype because significant of its increased root fresh weight, lycopene content, chlorophyll b, total carotenoids, total chlorophyll, retained shoot length, root length, seedling fresh and dry weight, total water potential, osmotic potential, relative water content, peroxidase activity (POD), catalase, esterase, and its ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity and total soluble proteins (TSP) showed highest yield potential with 43% increase over check. Identified best performing and tolerant genotypes can further be employed for breeding climate-smart chickpea genotypes for sustainable production under changing climate.

Molecular causes of elevated phosphoethanolamine in breast and pancreatic cancer cells.

Elevated phosphoethanolamine (PE) is frequently observed in MRS studies of human cancers and xenografts. The role of PE in cell survival and the molecular causes underlying this increase are, however, relatively underexplored. In this study, we investigated the roles of ethanolamine kinases (Etnk-1 and 2) and choline kinases (Chk-α and ß) in contributing to increased PE in human breast and pancreatic cancer cells. We investigated the effect of silencing Etnk-1 and Etnk-2 on cell viability as a potential therapeutic strategy. Both breast and pancreatic cancer cells showed higher PE compared with their nonmalignant counterparts. We identified Etnk-1 as a major cause of the elevated PE levels in these cancer cells, with little or no contribution from Chk-α, Chk-ß, or Etnk-2. The increase of PE observed in pancreatic cancer cells in culture was replicated in the corresponding tumor xenografts. Downregulation of Etnk-1 with siRNA resulted in cell cytotoxicity that correlated with PE levels in breast and pancreatic cancer cells. Etnk-1 may provide a potential therapeutic target in breast and pancreatic cancers.

Long-term outcome of bare-fiber hybrid laser prostatectomy with transurethral scraping.

PURPOSE: To present long-term follow-up results of 116 patients treated with laser ablation of the prostate and transurethral scraping (LAP/TUS) that involves vaporization and coagulation with potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP):YAG (yttrium-aluminum-garnet) (40 W) and neodymium (Nd):YAG (60 W) lasers, respectively, followed by scraping of the debris with a resectoscope. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 116 consecutive men (mean age 70 +/- 9 yrs) who underwent LAP/TUS for urinary retention or severe lower urinary tract symptoms were assessed by uroflowmetry, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life (QoL) score. The results of the prospectively recorded preoperative values were compared with values recorded at 3-months and annually thereafter for up to 8 postoperative years. RESULTS: Mean prostate size was 38.2(+/- 16.8) mL. After a mean/median follow-up of 84 months (range 60-103 months), 62 (80%) of 78 living patients completed the last follow-up assessment. Overall, 6 (5.2%) patients needed a long-term indwelling catheter and 7(6%) underwent reoperation. Preoperative v postoperative values at the last follow-up for the measured parameters were: IPSS 21.2 (+/- 6.9) v 10.2 (+/- 7.3); QoL score 4.3 (+/-1.1) v 1.9 (+/- 1.4); postvoid residual: 152 (+/- 138) v 62.2 (+/- 97.1) mL; peak flow rate 9.3 (+/- 3.9) versus 15.4(+/- 9.9) mL/s and average flow rate 4.4 (+/- 2.1) v 7.7 (+/- 6.3) mL/s respectively. There was no significant change in any of these parameters after the 7-year median follow-up compared with the improvements observed at 3 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: LAP/TUS produces long-lasting relief in bladder outlet obstruction symptoms caused by prostatic enlargement with 50% to 129% improvement in mean IPSS scores and uroflowmetry parameters maintained even after a mean follow-up of 7 years.