Air pollution and climate change as grand challenges to sustainability.

There is a cross-disciplinary link between air pollution, climate crisis, and sustainable lifestyle as they are the most complex struggles of the present century. This review takes an in-depth look at this relationship, considering carbon dioxide emissions primarily from the burning of fossil fuels as the main contributor to global warming and focusing on primary SLCPs such as methane and ground-level ozone. Such pollutants severely alter the climate through the generation of greenhouse gases. The discussion is extensive and includes best practices from conventional pollution control technologies to hi-tech alternatives, including electric vehicles, the use of renewables, and green decentralized solutions. It also addresses policy matters, such as imposing stricter emissions standards, setting stronger environmental regulations, and rethinking some economic measures. Besides that, new developments such as congestion charges, air ionization, solar-assisted cleaning systems, and photocatalytic materials are among the products discussed. These strategies differ in relation to the local conditions and therefore exhibit a varying effectiveness level, but they remain evident as a tool of pollution deterrence. This stresses the importance of holistic and inclusive approach in terms of engineering, policies, stakeholders, and ecological spheres to tackle.

An insights into emerging trends to control the threats of antimicrobial resistance (AMR): an address to public health risks.

Antimicrobial agents are used to treat microbial ailments, but increased use of antibiotics and exposure to infections in healthcare facilities and hospitals as well as the excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics at the society level lead to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered a public health concern and has rendered the treatment of different infections more challenging. The bacterial strains develop resistance against antimicrobial agents by limiting intracellular drug accumulation (increasing efflux or decreasing influx of antibiotics), modification and inactivation of drugs and its targets, enzymatic inhibition, and biofilm formation. However, the driving factors of AMR include the sociocultural and economic circumstances of a country, the use of falsified and substandard medicines, the use of antibiotics in farm animals, and food processing technologies. These factors make AMR one of the major menaces faced by mankind. In order to promote reciprocal learning, this article summarizes the current AMR situation in Pakistan and how it interacts with the health issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic aids in illuminating the possible long-term impacts of AMR, which are less immediate but not less severe since their measures and effects are equivalent. Impact on other sectors, including the health industry, the economy, and trade are also discussed. We conclude by summarizing the several approaches that could be used to address this issue.

Alkaline and acidic soil constraints on iron accumulation by Rice cultivars in relation to several physio-biochemical parameters.

Agricultural production is severely limited by an iron deficiency. Alkaline soils increase iron deficiency in rice crops, consequently leading to nutrient deficiencies in humans. Adding iron to rice enhances both its elemental composition and the nutritional value it offers humans through the food chain. The purpose of the current pot experiment was to investigate the impact of Fe treatment in alkaline (pH 7.5) and acidic (pH 5.5) soils to introduce iron-rich rice. Iron was applied to the plants in the soil in the form of an aqueous solution of FeSO4 with five different concentrations (100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 mM). The results obtained from the current study demonstrated a significant increase in Fe content in Oryza sativa with the application of iron in both alkaline and acidic pH soils. Specifically, Basmati-515, one of the rice cultivars tested, exhibited a notable 13% increase in iron total accumulation per plant and an 11% increase in root-to-shoot ratio in acidic soil. In contrast to Basmati-198, which demonstrated maximum response in alkaline soil, Basmati-515 exhibited notable increases in all parameters, including a 31% increase in dry weight, 16% increase in total chlorophyll content, an 11% increase in CAT (catalase) activity, 7% increase in APX (ascorbate peroxidase) activity, 26% increase in POD (peroxidase) activity, and a remarkable 92% increase in SOD (superoxide dismutase) in acidic soil. In alkaline soil, Basmati-198 exhibited respective decreases of 40% and 39% in MDA and H2O2 content, whereas Basmati-515 demonstrated a more significant decrease of 50% and 67% in MDA and H2O2 in acidic soil. These results emphasize the potential for targeted soil management strategies to improve iron nutrition and address iron deficiency in agricultural systems. By considering soil conditions, it is possible to enhance iron content and promote its availability in alkaline and acidic soils, ultimately contributing to improved crop nutrition and human health.