Boron deficiency decreased the root activity of Ga-exposed rice seedlings by reducing iron accumulation and increasing Ga in iron plaque.

Gallium (Ga) is an emerging chemical pollutant chiefly associated with high-tech industries. Boron (B) alleviates the negative effects of toxic elements on plant growth. Thereby, the effects of B fertilization on Ga toxicity in rice seedlings was studied to clarify the role of iron plaque in the distribution of Ga, Fe, and B in Ga-treated rice seedlings in the presence or absence of B. Gallium exposure significantly reduced the biomass of rice seedlings. Boron deficiency induced a significant change in the distribution of B in Ga-treated rice seedlings compared with "Ga+B" treatments. Accumulation of Ga in roots, dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate (DCB) extracts, and shoots showed a dose-dependent manner from both +B and -B rice seedlings. Boron nutrition levels affect the distribution of Fe in roots, DCB extracts, and shoots, in which DCB-extractable Fe was significantly decreased from "Ga-B" treatments compared with "Ga+B" treatments. Root activity was significantly decreased in both Ga-exposed rice seedlings; however, B-deficient seedlings showed a severe reduction than +B rice seedlings. These results reveal that Fe plaque might be a temporary sink for B accumulation when plants are grown with proper B, wherein the re-utilization of DCB-extractable B stored in Fe plaque is mandatory for plant growth under B deficiency. Correlation analysis revealed that B deficiency decreased the root activity of Ga-exposed rice seedlings by reducing DCB-extractable Fe and increasing DCB-extractable Ga in Fe plaque. This study enhances our understanding of how B nutritional levels affect Ga toxicity in rice plants.

Pitavastatin and Lovastatin Exhibit Calcium Channel Blocking Activity Which Potentiate Vasorelaxant Effects of Amlodipine: A New Futuristic Dimension in Statin's Pleiotropy.

Background and Objectives: We have recently reported that Fluvastatin, Atorvastatin, Simvastatin and Rosuvastatin have calcium channel antagonistic activities using rabbits' intestinal preparations. The current study is focused on the effects of Pitavastatin and Lovastatin for possible inhibition of vascular L-Type calcium channels, which may have vasorelaxant effect(s). Combined effects of Pitavastatin and Lovastatin in the presence of Amlodipine were also tested for vasorelaxation. Materials and Methods: Possible relaxing effects of Pitavastatin and Lovastatin on 80 mM Potassium chloride (KCL)-induced contractions and on 1 µM norepinephrine (N.E)-induced contractions were studied in isolated rabbit's aortic strips preparations. Relaxing effects on 80 mM KCL-induced vascular contractions were further verified by constructing Calcium Concentration Response Curves (CCRCs), in the absence and presence of three different concentrations of Pitavastatin and Lovastatin using CCRCs as negative control. Verapamil was used as a standard drug that has L-Type calcium channel binding activity. In other series of experiments, we studied drug interaction(s) among Pitavastatin, Lovastatin, and amlodipine. Results: The results of this study imply that Lovastatin is more potent than Pitavastatin for having comparatively lower EC50 (7.44 × 10-5 ± 0.16 M) in intact and (4.55 × 10-5 ± 0.10 M) in denuded aortae for KCL-induced contractions. Lovastatin amplitudes in intact and denuded aortae for KCL-induced contractions were, respectively, 24% and 35.5%; whereas amplitudes for Pitavastatin in intact and denuded aortae for KCL-induced contractions were 34% and 40%, respectively. A left shift in the EC50 values for the statins was seen when we added amlodipine in EC50 (Log Ca++ M). Right shift for CCRCs state that Pitavastatin and Lovastatin have calcium channel antagonistic effects. Lovastatin in test concentration (6.74 × 10-7 M) produced a right shift in relatively lower EC50 (-2.5 ± 0.10) Log Ca++ M as compared to Pitavastatin, which further confirms that lovastatin is relatively more potent. The right shift in EC50 resembles the right shift of Verapamil. Additive effect of Pitavastatin and Lovastatin was noted in presence of amlodipine (p < 0.05). Conclusions: KCL (80 mM)-induced vascular contractions were relaxed by Pitavastatin and Lovastatin via inhibitory effects on L-Type voltage-gated calcium channels. Lovastatin and Pitavastatin also relaxed Norepinephrine (1 µM)-induced contractions giving an insight for involvement of dual mode of action of Pitavastatin and Lovastatin.

Atorvastatin and Fluvastatin Potentiate Blood Pressure Lowering Effect of Amlodipine through Vasorelaxant Phenomenon.

Background and Objectives: We have recently reported that stains have calcium channel blocking activity in isolated jejunal preparations. In this study, we examined the effects of atorvastatin and fluvastatin on blood vessels for a possible vasorelaxant effect. We also studied the possible additional vasorelaxant effect of atorvastatin and fluvastatin, in the presence of amlodipine, to quantify its effects on the systolic blood pressure of experimental animals. Materials and Methods: Atorvastatin and fluvastatin were tested in isolated rabbits' aortic strip preparations using 80mM Potassium Chloride (KCl) induced contractions and 1 micro molar Norepinephrine (NE) induced contractions. A positive relaxing effect on 80 mM KCl induced contractions were further confirmed in the absence and presence of atorvastatin and fluvastatin by constructing calcium concentration response curves (CCRCs) while using verapamil as a standard calcium channel blocker. In another series of experiments, hypertension was induced in Wistar rats and different test concentrations of atorvastatin and fluvastatin were administered in their respective EC50 values to the test animals. A fall in their systolic blood pressure was noted using amlodipine as a standard vasorelaxant drug. Results: The results show that fluvastatin is more potent than amlodipine as it relaxed NE induced contractions where the amplitude reached 10% of its control in denuded aortae. Atorvastatin relaxed KCL induced contractions with an amplitude reaching 34.4% of control response as compared to the amlodipine response, i.e., 39.1%. A right shift in the EC50 (Log Ca++ M) of Calcium Concentration Response Curves (CCRCs) implies that statins have calcium channel blocking activity. A right shift in the EC50 of fluvastatin with relatively less EC50 value (-2.8 Log Ca++ M) in the presence of test concentration (1.2 × 10-7 M) of fluvastatin implies that fluvastatin is more potent than atorvastatin. The shift in EC50 resembles the shift of Verapamil, a standard calcium channel blocker (-1.41 Log Ca++ M). Conclusions: Atorvastatin and fluvastatin relax the aortic strip preparations predominantly through the inhibition of voltage gated calcium channels in high molar KCL induced contractions. These statins also inhibit the effects of NE induced contractions. The study also confirms that atorvastatin and fluvastatin potentiate blood pressure lowering effects in hypertensive rats.

Patient Satisfaction and Utilization of Ambulance Services in Prehospital Services at a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: Patients reporting to emergency departments frequently use different ambulance services; therefore, the measurement of patient satisfaction is relevant to encouraging those services to meet patient expectations. The aim of this study was to determine the patients' satisfaction and utilization of different ambulance services at a tertiary health care hospital in Peshawar relating to prehospital services. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, from July 2019 to January 2020 using a consecutive sampling technique with a total sample size of 378. The patients reporting to the emergency department using any ambulance service were included in this study. Different types of ambulance services were used as an outcome variable. Proportions were compared for the categoric variables using the chi-square test, whereas the 1-way analysis of variance test was used to determine the mean response time and age. Results were considered significant at a P value ≤ .050. All analyses were completed using SPSS version 20 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY). RESULTS: Of the total 378 study participants, approximately 166 (43.9%) used Rescue 1122 services, 99 (26.2%) used private ambulance services, and 44 (11.6%) used public ambulance services. Road traffic accidents were the most common complaint by 98 (25.9%, P < .003) participants. The mean response time for Rescue 1122 was 13.2 ± 18 minutes followed by the Chippa Foundation (private) at 17.8 ± 20 minutes (P < .005). Males (n = 254) were the predominant users of all services. Participants from the urban region (n = 112) used Rescue 1122, whereas the public ambulance service was used only by 31 patients (P < .005). Among all the ambulance services, 19 (61.3%) participants were not satisfied with the Chippa service regarding vehicle cleanliness, whereas participants were highly satisfied with Rescue 1122. CONCLUSION: Overall, the patients were more satisfied with the services provided by the Rescue 1122 ambulances compared with all other ambulance services.

Rosuvastatin and Simvastatin potentiate antihypertensive effect of amlodipine through vasorelaxation phenomenon.

This study is carried out to assess the effects of rosuvastatin and simvastatin on blood vessels for possible vasorelaxant effect. The study is also translating the possible vasorelaxant effect in Wistar rats for a subsequent fall in systolic blood pressure. It is evident from the EC50, that rosuvastatin is more effective on relaxing N.E induced contractions, while simvastatin is more effective on relaxing KCL induced contractions. Simvastatin is equipotent when compared to effects of amlodipine on KCl induced contractions in denuded aortae. Simvastatin produced significant right shift in test concentration 1.1× 10-6M with its respective EC50 -1.85logCa++M as compared to its respective control EC50 -3logCa++M. Rosuvastatin also produced significant right shift in the EC50. In conclusion, it is stated that rosuvastatin and simvastatin relax the aortic strips preparations through inhibition of voltage gated calcium channels and inhibition of N.E induced contractions. Rosuvastatin and simvastatin have additive effects when used in the presence of a standard vaso-relaxant drug like amlodipine, which further confirms its additive effect on decreasing the systolic blood pressure of hypertensive rats (P<0.05).

Fundamentals of Hysteresis in Perovskite Solar Cells: From Structure-Property Relationship to Neoteric Breakthroughs.

Perovskite solar cells (PSC) have shown a rapid increase in efficiency than other photovoltaic technology. Despite its success in terms of efficiency, this technology is inundated with numerous challenges hindering the progress towards commercial viability. The crucial one is the anomalous hysteresis observed in the photocurrent density-voltage (J-V) response in PSC. The hysteresis phenomenon in the solar cell presents a challenge for determining the accurate power conversion efficiency of the device. A detailed investigation of the fundamental origin of hysteresis behavior in the device and its associated mechanisms is highly crucial. Though numerous theories have been proposed to explain the causes of hysteresis, its origin includes slow transient capacitive current, trapping, and de-trapping process, ion migrations, and ferroelectric polarization. The remaining issues and future research required toward the understanding of hysteresis in PSC device is also discussed.

Synthesis and Investigation of the Analgesic Potential of Enantiomerically Pure Schiff Bases: A Mechanistic Approach.

Schiff bases are a class of organic compounds with azomethine moiety, exhibiting a wide range of biological potentials. In this research, six chiral Schiff bases, three 'S' series (H1−H3) and three 'R' series (H4−H6), were synthesized. The reaction was neat, which means without a solvent, and occurred at room temperature with a high product yield. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for analgesic potential in vivo at doses of 12.5 and 25 mg/kg using acetic-acid-induced writhing assay, formalin test, tail immersion and hot plate models, followed by investigating the possible involvement of opioid receptors. The compounds H2 and H3 significantly (*** p < 0.001) reduced the writhing frequency, and H3 and H5 significantly (*** p < 0.001) reduced pain in both phases of the formalin test. The compounds H2 and H5 significantly (*** p < 0.001) increased latency at 90 min in tail immersion, while H2 significantly (*** p < 0.001) increased latency at 90 min in the hot plate test. The 'S' series Schiff bases, H1−H3, were found more potent than the 'R' series compounds, H4−H6. The possible involvement of opioid receptors was also surveyed utilizing naloxone in tail immersion and hot plate models, investigating the involvement of opioid receptors. The synthesized compounds could be used as alternative analgesic agents subjected to further evaluation in other animal models to confirm the observed biological potential.

Effects of pH and Ionic Salts on the Emulsifying and Rheological Properties of Acorn Protein Isolate.

This study was designed to evaluate the emulsifying and rheological properties of acorn protein isolate (API) in different pH mediums (pH 3, 7 and 9) and in the presence of ionic salts (1 M NaCl and 1 M CaCl2). API shows higher solubility in distilled water at pH 7, while at the same pH, a decrease in solubility was observed for API in the presence of CaCl2 (61.30%). A lower emulsifying activity index (EAI), lower stability index (ESI), larger droplet sizes and slight flocculation were observed for API in the presence of salts at different pHs. Importantly, CaCl2 treated samples showed relevantly higher EAI (252.67 m2/g) and ESI (152.67 min) values at all pH as compared to NaCl (221.76 m2/g), (111.82 min), respectively. A significant increase in interfacial protein concentration (4.61 mg/m2) was observed for emulsion at pH 9 with CaCl2, while the major fractions of API were observed in an interfacial layer after SDS-PAGE analysis. All of the emulsion shows shear thinning behavior (τc > 0 and n < 1), while the highest viscosity was observed for emulsion prepared with CaCl2 at pH 3 (11.03 ± 1.62). In conclusion, API, in the presence of ionic salts at acidic, neutral and basic pH, can produce natural emulsions, which could be substitutes for synthetic surfactants for such formulations.

Attenuation of Scopolamine-Induced Amnesia via Cholinergic Modulation in Mice by Synthetic Curcumin Analogs.

Alzheimer's disease is an emerging health disorder associated with cognitive decline and memory loss. In this study, six curcumin analogs (1a−1f) were synthesized and screened for in vitro cholinesterase inhibitory potential. On the basis of promising results, they were further investigated for in vivo analysis using elevated plus maze (EPM), Y-maze, and novel object recognition (NOR) behavioral models. The binding mode of the synthesized compounds with the active sites of cholinesterases, and the involvement of the cholinergic system in brain hippocampus was determined. The synthesized curcumin analog 1d (p < 0.001, n = 6), and 1c (p < 0.01, n = 6) showed promising results by decreasing retention time in EPM, significantly increasing % SAP in Y-maze, while significantly (p < 0.001) enhancing the % discrimination index (DI) and the time exploring the novel objects in NORT mice behavioral models. A molecular docking study using MOE software was used for validation of the inhibition of cholinesterase(s). It has been indicated from the current research work that the synthesized curcumin analogs enhanced memory functions in mice models and could be used as valuable therapeutic molecules against neurodegenerative disorders. To determine their exact mechanism of action, further studies are suggested.

Neuroprotective Potential of Synthetic Mono-Carbonyl Curcumin Analogs Assessed by Molecular Docking Studies.

Cognitive decline in dementia is associated with deficiency of the cholinergic system. In this study, five mono-carbonyl curcumin analogs were synthesized, and on the basis of their promising in vitro anticholinesterase activities, they were further investigated for in vivo neuroprotective and memory enhancing effects in scopolamine-induced amnesia using elevated plus maze (EPM) and novel object recognition (NOR) behavioral mice models. The effects of the synthesized compounds on the cholinergic system involvement in the brain hippocampus and their binding mode in the active site of cholinesterases were also determined. Compound h2 (p < 0.001) and h3 (p < 0.001) significantly inhibited the cholinesterases and reversed the effects of scopolamine by significantly reducing TLT (p < 0.001) in EPM, while (p < 0.001) increased the time exploring the novel object. The % discrimination index (DI) was significantly increased (p < 0.001) in the novel object recognition test. The mechanism of cholinesterase inhibition was further validated through molecular docking study using MOE software. The results obtained from the in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo studies showed that the synthesized curcumin analogs exhibited significantly higher memory-enhancing potential, and h3 could be an effective neuroprotective agent. However, more study is suggested to explore its exact mechanism of action.

Genome-wide analysis of CBL and CIPK family genes in cotton: conserved structures with divergent interactions and expression.

Calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs) interact with CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) to form complex molecular modules in response to diverse abiotic stresses. Although previous studies demonstrated that the CBL-CIPK networks play a crucial role in plants response to abiotic stresses, however, little is known about their functions in cotton. In the present study, a total of 22 GhCBL and 79 GhCIPK gene family members were identified in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum Linn). Synteny analysis revealed that most genes of GhCBL and GhCIPK exist in pairs between At sub-genome and Dt sub-genome. Interaction analysis between GhCBL and GhCIPK proteins by yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) suggested that the GhCBL-GhCIPK networks were complex, and exhibited functional redundancy in cotton. Quantitative expression analysis by public transcriptome datasets revealed that some GhCBL and GhCIPK genes are differentially expressed under abiotic stress treatments, and especially under drought stress. Our results not only contribute to understanding the structural features of GhCBL and GhCIPK genes but also provide the basis for in-depth functional studies of GhCBL-GhCIPK networks in stress response for plants. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at (doi:10.1007/s12298-021-00943-1).

High day and night temperatures distinctively disrupt fatty acid and jasmonic acid metabolism, inducing male sterility in cotton.

High temperature stress is an inevitable environmental factor in certain geographical regions. To study the effect of day and night high temperature stress on male reproduction, the heat-sensitive cotton line H05 was subjected to high temperature stress. High day/normal night (HN) and normal day/high night (NH) temperature treatments were compared with normal day/normal night (NN) temperature as a control. At the anther dehiscence stage, significant differences were observed, with a reduction in flower size and filament length, and sterility in pollen, seen in NH more than in HN. A total of 36 806 differentially expressed genes were screened, which were mainly associated with fatty acid and jasmonic acid (JA) metabolic pathways. Fatty acid and JA contents were reduced more in NH than HN. Under NH, ACYL-COA OXIDASE 2 (ACO2), a JA biosynthesis gene, was down-regulated. Interestingly, aco2 CRISPR-Cas9 mutants showed male sterility under the NN condition. The exogenous application of methyl jasmonate to early-stage buds of mutants rescued the sterile pollen and indehiscent anther phenotypes at the late stage. These data show that high temperature at night may affect fatty acid and JA metabolism in anthers by suppressing GhACO2 and generate male sterility more strongly than high day temperature.

DNA damage analysis concerning GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphism in gold jewellery workers from Peshawar Pakistan.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the genotoxic effects of gold jewellery fumes and its association with GSTM1 and GSTT1 genetic polymorphisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 94 subjects including 54 gold jewellery workers and 40 controls. The DNA damage was evaluated by alkaline comet assay and genotyping by PCR. RESULTS: The mean total comet score (TCS) in gold jewellery workers was significantly higher as compared to the control subjects (128.0 ± 60.6 versus 47.7 ± 21.4; p = 0.0001). Duration of occupational exposure had positive correlation (r = 0.453, p < 0.01) with DNA damage. Age and tobacco use had significant effects on the TCS of the exposed group as compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The frequency of the GSTM1-null genotype in the exposed group was significant (p = 0.004) as compared to the control group. No significant association (p > 0.05) between the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes and DNA damage was found. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that there is increased DNA damage in gold jewellery workers due to their occupational surroundings. Hence there is a strong need to educate the workers about the adverse health effects of potentially hazardous chemicals and highlight the importance of using protective measures.

Characterization of a novel cotton MYB gene, GhMYB108-like responsive to abiotic stresses.

Transcriptional factors are the major regulators of plant signaling pathways in response to environmental stresses i.e., drought, salinity and cold. Hereby, the GhMYB108-like was characterized to determine whether it regulate these stresses. The GhMYB108-like cDNA consisted of 1107 base pairs (bp) with 807 open reading frame encoded a protein of 268 amino acids. Its isoelectric point and molecular weight are 5.51 and 30.3 kDa respectively. Phylogenetic analysis and online databases revealed that GhMYB108-like proteins are closely related with the Arabidopsis thaliana MYB2. Important cis-elements were detected in the promotor region of GhMYB108-like responding to stresses and phytohormones. The 3D structure of GhMYB108-like protein has been predicted. In addition, various physico-chemical properties of GhMYB108-like have been determined. Subcellular localization confirmed that GhMYB108-like are nuclear localized protein. Quantitative expression analysis showed that polyethylene glycol and salt treatments significantly induced the expression of GhMYB108-like. Overall, our findings suggest that GhMYB108-like is an important gene that would plays important regulatory role in response to drought and salt stresses.

Smart nanocrystal of indomethacin: Nanonization and characterization through top down method of media milling.

Indomethacin is potent and effective drug belongs to NSAID group having low bioavailability. To address this issue the novel method is Nanosuspensions which can be achieved through bottom up and top down methods. The drug concentration, batch size and crystallinity retention are the problems associated with bottom up method consequently top down method was applied. In current project batch size of 350 ml was prepared by mixing 3.5% of Indomethacin with polymer solution. Then it was introduced into Dena⌖ having 0.2µm yttrium reinforced zirconium beads. The effect of milling time was observed for sixty minutes. Stable nanocrystals with particle size of 161nm ±1.90 with PDI of 0.229 ±0.06 were produced. The DSC and PXRD confirmed the crystallinity of created nanocrystals. The pattern of particle size reduction was initially abrupt and then gradual. The two months Stability studies at 4°C and at 25°C revealed that polymers combination (PVP-K30, HPMC-6cps, SDS) were effective in marinating the stability. The SEM and TEM studies unfastened that nanocrystals were homogenously distributed with discrete crystalline morphology. The fabricated nanocrystals demonstrated marked dissolution rate compared to the raw and marketed formulations. It is demonstrated that it is useful for industry due to high drug concentration, large batch size and retention of distinct characteristics.

Microbiome Diversity in Cotton Rhizosphere Under Normal and Drought Conditions.

Climate change contributes to drought stress and subsequently affects crop growth, development, and yield. The microbial community, such as fungi and bacteria in the rhizosphere, is of special importance to plant productivity. In this study, soil collected from a cotton research field was used to grow cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum cv. Jin668) under controlled environment conditions. Drought stress was applied at flowering stage, while control plants were regularly watered. At the same time, the soil without plants was also subjected to drought, while control pots were regularly watered. The soil was collected in sterilized tubes and microbial DNA was isolated and high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes was carried out. The alpha diversity of bacteria community significantly increased in the soil with cotton plants compared to the soil without cotton plants. Taxonomic analysis revealed that the bacterial community structure of the cotton rhizosphere predominantly consisted of the phyla Proteobacteria (31.7%), Actinobacteria (29.6%), Gemmatimonadetes (9.8%), Chloroflexi (9%), Cyanobacteria (5.6%), and Acidobacteria. In the drought-treated rhizosphere, Chloroflexi and Gemmatimonadetes were the dominant phyla. This study reveals that the cotton rhizosphere has a rich pool of bacterial communities even under drought stress, and which may improve drought tolerance in plants. These data will underpin future improvement of drought tolerance of cotton via the soil microbial community.

Drought tolerance improvement in plants: an endophytic bacterial approach.

Climate change is a crucial issue among the serious emerging problems which got a global attention in the last few decades. With the climate change, worldwide crop production has been seriously affected by drought stress. In this regard, various technologies including traditional breeding and genetic engineering are used to cope with drought stress. However, the interactions between plants and endophytic bacteria emerged as an interesting era of knowledge that can be used for novel agriculture practices. Endophytic bacteria which survive within plant tissues are among the most appropriate technologies improving plant growth and yield under drought conditions. These endophytic bacteria live within plant tissues and release various phytochemicals that assist plant to withstand in harsh environmental conditions, i.e., drought stress. Their plant growth-promoting characteristics include nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, mineral uptake, and the production of siderophore, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, and various phytohormones. These plant growth promoting characteristics of endophytic bacteria improve root length and density, which lead to the enhance drought tolerance. In addition, plant-endophytic bacteria assist plant to withstand against drought stress by producing drought-tolerant substances, for instance, abscisic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, ACC deaminase, and various volatile compounds. Indirectly, endophytic bacteria also improve osmotic adjustment, relative water content, and antioxidant activity of inoculated plants. Altogether, these bacterial-mediated drought tolerance and plant growth-promoting processes continue even under severe drought conditions which lead to enhanced plant growth promotion and yield. The present review highlights a natural and environment-friendly strategy in the form of drought-tolerant and plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria to improve drought tolerance in plants.

Alleviation of chromium toxicity in maize by Fe fortification and chromium tolerant ACC deaminase producing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria.

Chromium (Cr) is becoming a potential pollutant with the passage of time. Higher intake of Cr does not only affect the productivity of crops, but also the quality of food produced in Cr polluted soils. In the past, foliar application of Fe is widely studied regarding their potential to alleviate Cr toxicity. However, limited information is documented regarding the combined use of PGPR and foliar Fe. Therefore, the current study was conducted to screen Cr tolerant PGPR and examine effect of foliar Fe with and without Cr tolerant PGPR under Cr toxicity (50 and 100 mg kg-1) in maize (Zea mays) production. Out of 15, two Cr tolerant PGPR were screened, identified (Agrobacterium fabrum and Leclercia adecarboxylata) and inoculated with 500 µM Fe. Results confirmed that Agrobacterium fabrum + 500 µM Fe performed significantly best in improving dry weight of roots and shoot, plant height, roots and shoot length and plant leaves in maize under Cr toxicity. A significant increase in chlorophyll a (51.5%), b (55.1%) and total (32.5%) validated the effectiveness of A. fabrum + 500 µM Fe to alleviate Cr toxicity. Improvement in intake of N (64.7%), P (70.0 and 183.3%), K (53.8% and 3.40-fold) in leaves and N (25.6 and 122.2%), P (25.6 and 122.2%), K (33.3% and 97.3%) in roots of maize at Cr50 and Cr100 confirmed that combined application of A. fabrum with 500 µM Fe is a more efficacious approach for alleviation of Cr toxicity and fortification of Fe comparative to sole foliar application of 500 µM Fe.

Potent leishmanicidal and antibacterial metabolites from Olea ferruginea.

Inspired from the leishmanicidal and antibacterial potential of the fractions obtained from the crude extract of Olea ferruginea stem, the anti-leishmanial ethyl acetate fraction was subjected to chromatographic separation, leading to the isolation of a new compound ferruginan (1) and a known compound (+)- cycloolivil (2). The structures of 1 and 2 were determined by various spectroscopic techniques and were assayed for their in vitro antibacterial and leishmanicidal potential. Compound 1 showed 75% inhibition after 24 h of incubation and 98% inhibition after 48 h of incubation against Leishmania tropica KWH23 promastigotes at 100 µg/mL concentration, while compound 2 exhibited 73% and 96% inhibition at the same concentration and incubation time. Compound 1 also showed good activity against various bacterial pathogens.

Enhanced dissolution rate of Ketoprofen by fabricating into smart nanocrystals.

The low bioavailability of Ketoprofen is associated with its hydrophobic nature that can be solved by nanonization. For this purpose, a polymeric solution with drug concentration of 3.5% w/w was formulated. The produced solution was milled for 60 minutes in DENA® mill which contains 0.2µ m yttrium reinforced zirconium beads. The Physicochemical properties, characterization including stability studies of the prepared nanoparticles were carried out using pharmacopeial techniques of zeta potential, PXRD, DSC, SEM and TEM. Results suggest that stable crystalline nanocrystals with a size of 169±1.98nm with PDI of 0.194±0.04 and zeta potential of -22.0±2.25mV were produced. Moreover, enhances in-vitro release rate of 78.6% for the processed Ketoprofen was achieved in first 5 min as compared to raw form and marketed drug which released only 22.9% and 33.1% of drug respectively. The 60 days stability studies at 4oC & 25°C revealed that polymers PVP-K30-HPMC-6cps-SDS were effective in stabilizing the nanocrystals. Comparatively stable ketoprofen nanocrystals were successfully produced by DENA® mill with marked enhanced dissolution rate. It proved a useful for commercialization technique due to high drug concentration and retention of distinct characteristics at large scale.