Anabaena sp. A-1 mediated molybdenum oxide nanoparticles: A novel frontier in green synthesis, characterization and pharmaceutical properties.

Green-synthesized metal oxide nanoparticles have garnered considerable attention due to their simple, sustainable, and eco-friendly attributes, coupled with their diverse applications in biomedicine and environmental context. The current study shows a sustainable approach for synthesizing molybdenum oxide nanoparticles (MoONPs) utilizing an extract from Anabaena sp. A-1. This novel approach marks a significant milestone as various spectral approaches were employed for characterization of the green-synthesized MoONPs. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopic analysis revealed a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak of MoONPs at 538 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral analysis facilitated the identification of functional groups responsible for both the stability and production of MoONPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized revealing a rod shape morphology of the MoONPs. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis yielded a calculated crystal size of 31 nm, indicating the crystalline nature of MoONPs. Subsequently, biological assays were employed to ascertain the potential of the bioengineered MoONPs. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used to quantify free radical scavenging activity, revealing an antioxidant capacity of 68.1% at 200 µg/mL. To evaluate antibacterial and antifungal efficacy, the disc diffusion method was employed across varying concentrations of MoONPs (6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200 µg/mL). Quantification of cytotoxicity was performed via a brine shrimp assay, yielding an IC50 value of 552.3 µg/mL, a metric of moderate cytotoxicity. To assess the biocompatibility of MoONPs, an antihemolytic assay was conducted, confirming their safety profile. Additionally, MoONPs exhibited non-toxic attributes in an insecticidal assay. Notably, in anti-inflammatory assay MoONPs showed an inactive nature towards the reactive oxygen species. In conclusion, these findings highlight the potential versatility of MoONPs in various biological applications, extending beyond their recognized anti-inflammatory and insecticidal properties. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: This study marks an advancement in nanotechnology, exploring ways for MoONPs fabrication, representing a unique and unexplored research domain. Green-synthesized MoONPs using Anabaena sp. A-1 extract offers a sustainable and eco-friendly approach. Characterized by UV-Vis, FTIR, SEM, and XRD, MoONPs demonstrate rod-shaped morphology and crystalline nature. Bioengineered MoONPs exhibit versatility in biological applications, demonstrating notable antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal efficacy, moderate cytotoxicity, biocompatibility, and insecticidal properties, emphasizing their multifaceted utility. The research findings highlight the potential utilization of MoONPs across a spectrum of biological applications, thereby suggesting their promising role in the realm of biomedicine and environmental context.

Synthesis of Silver Oxide Nanoparticles: A Novel Approach for Antimicrobial Properties and Biomedical Performance, Featuring Nodularia haraviana from the Cholistan Desert.

Nanoparticles have emerged as a prominent area of research in recent times, and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized via phyco-technology have gained significant attention due to their potential therapeutic applications. Nodularia haraviana, a unique and lesser-explored cyanobacterial strain, holds substantial promise as a novel candidate for synthesizing nanoparticles. This noticeable research gap underscores the novelty and untapped potential of Nodularia haraviana in applied nanotechnology. A range of analytical techniques, including UV-vis spectral analysis, dynamic light scattering spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction, were used to investigate and characterize the AgNPs. Successful synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed through UV-visible spectroscopy, which showed a surface plasmon resonance peak at 428 nm. The crystalline size of AgNPs was 24.1 nm. Dynamic light scattering analysis revealed that silver oxide nanoparticles had 179.3 nm diameters and a negative surface charge of -18 mV. Comprehensive in vitro pharmacogenetic properties revealed that AgNPs have significant therapeutic potential. The antimicrobial properties of AgNPs were evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration against various microbial strains. Dose-dependent cytotoxicity assays were performed on Leishmanial promastigotes (IC50: 18.71 µgmL-1), amastigotes (IC50: 38.6 µgmL-1), and brine shrimps (IC50: 134.1 µg mL-1) using various concentrations of AgNPs. The findings of this study revealed that AgNPs had significant antioxidant results (DPPH: 57.5%, TRP: 55.4%, TAC: 61%) and enzyme inhibition potential against protein kinase (ZOI: 17.11 mm) and alpha-amylase (25.3%). Furthermore, biocompatibility tests were performed against macrophages (IC50: >395 µg mL-1) and human RBCs (IC50: 2124 µg mL-1). This study showed that phyco-synthesized AgNPs were less toxic and could be used in multiple biological applications, including drug design and in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries. This study offers valuable insights and paves the way for further advancements in AgNPs research.

Biogenic Fabrication of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles from Leptolyngbya sp. L-2 and Multiple In Vitro Pharmacogenetic Properties.

Metallic nanoparticles have received a significant amount of reflection over a period of time, attributed to their electronic, specific surface area, and surface atom properties. The biogenic synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs) is demonstrated in this study. The green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) is acquiring considerable attention due to its environmental and economic superiorities over other methods. Leptolyngbya sp. L-2 extract was employed as a reducing agent, and iron chloride hexahydrate (FeCl3·6H2O) was used as a substrate for the biogenic synthesis of FeONPs. Different spectral methods were used for the characterization of the biosynthesized FeONPs, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy gave a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak of FeONPs at 300 nm; Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral analysis was conducted to identify the functional groups responsible for both the stability and synthesis of FeONPs. The morphology of the FeONPs was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which shows a nearly spherical shape, and an X-ray diffraction (XRD) study demonstrated their crystalline nature with a calculated crystallinity size of 23 nm. The zeta potential (ZP) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements of FeONPs revealed values of -8.50 mV, suggesting appropriate physical stability. Comprehensive in-vitro pharmacogenetic properties revealed that FeONPs have significant therapeutic potential. FeONPs have been reported to have potential antibacterial and antifungal properties. Dose-dependent cytotoxic activity was shown against Leishmania tropica promastigotes (IC50: 10.73 µg/mL) and amastigotes (IC50: 16.98 µg/mL) using various concentrations of FeONPs. The cytotoxic potential was also investigated using brine shrimps, and their IC50 value was determined to be 34.19 µg/mL. FeONPs showed significant antioxidant results (DPPH: 54.7%, TRP: 49.2%, TAC: 44.5%), protein kinase (IC50: 96.23 µg/mL), and alpha amylase (IC50: 3745 µg/mL). The biosafety of FeONPs was validated by biocompatibility tests using macrophages (IC50: 918.1 µg/mL) and red blood cells (IC50: 2921 µg/mL). In conclusion, biogenic FeONPs have shown potential biomedical properties and should be the focus of more studies to increase their nano-pharmacological significance for biological applications.

Oscillatoria limnetica Mediated Green Synthesis of Iron Oxide (Fe2O3) Nanoparticles and Their Diverse In Vitro Bioactivities.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3-NPs) were synthesized using Oscillatoria limnetica extract as strong reducing and capping agents. The synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles IONPs were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffractive analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). IONPs synthesis was confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy by observing the peak at 471 nm. Furthermore, different in vitro biological assays, which showed important therapeutic potentials, were performed. Antimicrobial assay of biosynthesized IONPs was performed against four different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. E. coli was found to be the least suspected strain (MIC: 35 µg/mL), and B. subtilis was found to be the most suspected strain (MIC: 14 µg/mL). The maximum antifungal assay was observed for Aspergillus versicolor (MIC: 27 µg mL). The cytotoxic assay of IONPs was also studied using a brine shrimp cytotoxicity assay, and LD50 value was reported as 47 µg/mL. In toxicological evaluation, IONPs was found to be biologically compatible to human RBCs (IC50: >200 µg/mL). The antioxidant assay, DPPH 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyly was recorded at 73% for IONPs. In conclusion, IONPs revealed great biological potential and can be further recommended for in vitro and in vivo therapeutic purposes.

Myco- and phyco-remediation of polychlorinated biphenyls in the environment: a review.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic organic compounds and pose serious threats to environment and public health. PCBs still exist in different environments such as air, water, soil, and sediments even on ban. This review summarizes the phyco- and myco-remediation technologies developed to detoxify the PCB-polluted sites. It was found that algae mostly use bioaccumulation to biodegradation strategies to reclaim the environment. As bio-accumulator, Ulva rigida C. Agardh has been best at 25 ng/g dry wt to remove PCBs. Evidently, Anabaena PD-1 is the only known PCB degrading alga and efficiently degrade Aroclor 1254 and dioxin-like PCBs up to 84.4% and 37.4% to 68.4%, respectively. The review suggested that factors such as choice of algal strains, response of microalgae, biomass, the rate of growth, and cost-effective cultivation conditions significantly influence the remediation of PCBs. Furthermore, the Anabaena sp. linA gene of Pseudomonas paucimobilis Holmes UT26 showed enhanced efficiency. Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm is the most efficient PCB degrading fungus, degrading up to 98.4% and 99.6% of PCB in complex and mineral media, respectively. Combine metabolic activities of bacteria and yeast led to the higher detoxification of PCBs. Fungi-algae consortia would be a promising approach in remediation of PCBs. A critical analysis on potentials and limits of PCB treatment through fungal and algal biosystems have been reviewed, and thus, new insights have emerged for possible bioremediation, bioaccumulation, and biodegradation of PCBs.

Elucidating Heavy Metals Concentration and Distribution in Wild Edible Morels and the Associated Soil at Different Altitudinal Zones of Pakistan: a Health Risk Implications Study.

This study evaluates macro-nutrient (MN) and prevailing heavy metal (HM) concentrations in wild edible morels (WEM) species viz., Morchella crassipes, Morchella pulchella, and Morchella eohespera and the associated soil that were collected from different altitudinal zones (Azad Kashmir, Murree, Swat, and Skardu) of Pakistan. A special emphasis on potential health risk analysis for HM in WEM consumption was also explored. In general, MN concentration in fruiting bodies and their associated soil samples were in the following order: potassium (K) > magnesium (Mg) > calcium (Ca) > sodium (Na) and Ca > Mg > K > Na, respectively. The concentration for HM in WEM ranged between 20.0 and 78.0 mg/kg, 1.09 and 22.1 mg/kg, 2.1 and 22.1 mg/kg, 0.26 and 13.1 mg/kg, 0.43 and 9.1 mg/kg, 1.07 and 7.0 mg/kg, 1.01 and 5.4 mg/kg, and BDL and 3.1 mg/kg for zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd), respectively, and those in underlying soil samples, lowest and highest HM concentration were recorded for Zn (33.7-113.6 mg/kg), Cu (13.0-40.8 mg/kg), Ni (3.1-23.0 mg/kg), Pb (1.3-22.0 mg/kg), Co (2.9-5.6 mg/kg), Cr (2.7-11.1 mg/kg), Mn (2.0-7.1 mg/kg), and Cd (1.1 mg/kg 7.6). Although, Cd, Pb, and Zn concentrations in some of the WEM samples and Cd in the soil had exceeded the permissible limits set by different organizations. The greater accumulation/or transfer potential for Zn, Co, Ni, and Cu were recorded in WEM from their associated soil. The health risk index (HRI) for HM in all assessed samples of WEM was < 1, predicting no risk to the consuming population. Furthermore, the correlation analyses depicted that the power of hydrogen (pH), low organic matter contents, and sandy texture are likely to be responsible for HM transfer to the lower pool of soil. But the increasing concentration of HM in WEM warrants threats and suggests further monitoring and future policy plan and implementation to avoid the potential health risks via its regular consumption.

Study of the Anticancer Potential of Plant Extracts Using Liver Tumor Microphysiological System.

BACKGROUND: Plants have been considered a vital source of modern pharmaceutics since the paleolithic age. Contemporary chemotherapeutic drugs for cancer therapy are chemical entities sourced from plants. However, synthetic drugs or their derivatives come with severe to moderate side effects for human health. Hence, the quest to explore and discover plant-based novel anticancer drugs is ongoing. Anticancer activities are the primary method to estimate the potential and efficacy of an extract or compound for drug discovery. However, traditional in vitro anticancer activity assays often show poor efficacy due to the lack of in-vivo-like cellular environment. In comparison, the animal-based in vivo assays lack human genetic makeup and have ethical concerns. AIM: This study aimed to overcome the limitations of traditional cell-culture-based anticancer assays and find the most suitable assay for anticancer activity of plant extracts. We first reported utilizing a liver tumor microphysiological system in the anticancer effect assessment of plant extracts. METHODOLOGY: Methanolic extracts of Acer cappadocicum Gled were used to assess anticancer activity against liver tumor microphysiological system (MPS), and cell viability, liver function tests, and antioxidant enzyme activities were performed. Additionally, an embedded transepithelial electrical resistance sensor was utilized for the real-time monitoring of the liver tumor MPS. The results were also compared with the traditional cell culture model. RESULTS: The study demonstrated the superiority of the TEER sensor-based liver tumor MPS by its better anticancer activity based on cell viability and biomarker analysis compared to the traditional in vitro cell culture model. The anticancer effects of the plant extracts were successfully observed in real time, and methanolic extracts of Acer cappadocicum Gled increased the alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase secretion, which may reveal the different mechanisms of these extracts and suggest a clue for the future molecular study of the anticancer pathways. CONCLUSION: Our results show that the liver tumor microphysiological system could be a better platform for plant-based anticancer activity assessment than traditional cell culture models.

Phytochemical Investigation, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities of Acer cappadocicum Gled.

The appearance of novel microbial resistance, diverse cancer ailment and several other morbidities such as appetite loss, hair loss, anemia, cell damage, etc., are among most critical situation that keeps the phytochemical quest on. Thus, this study characterized the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer potentials of a rarely accessed Acer cappadocicum gled (AC) population thriving in a remote Palas Valley in northern Pakistan. Leaf extracts of the plant were prepared in organic solvents with different polarities through maceration. Extracts were subjected to antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities using agar well, DPPH and cell viability assays. A. cappadocicum methanolic extract (ACM) significantly inhibited bacterial growth, followed by n-butanolic extract (ACB) with the second-highest bacterial inhibition. Similar activity was observed against mycelial growth inhibition in plant-fungal pathogen by ACM and ACB. However, human pathogenic fungi did not affect much by extracts. In antioxidant assessment, the chloroform extract (ACC) showed strong scavenging activity and in cytotoxic evaluation, extracts restricted growth proliferation in cancer cells. The inhibitory evidence of extracts, potent scavenging ability, and low cell viability of human-derived cell lines supports the antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancerous potential of A. cappadocicum. It advances our quest for natural product research.

Taxonomy of Vincetoxicum s.str. (Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae) from southern Asia including three new species and resurrected names.

This paper presents a taxonomic study of genus Vincetoxicum s.str. from southern Asia. Eleven regional endemic species are recognized on the basis of herbarium studies and fieldwork. Three new species are described: V. lenifolium sp. nov. (endemic to Pakistan), V. stewartianum sp. nov. (endemic to India), and V. subcanescens sp. nov. (endemic to Pakistan, Kashmir and Tibet). Three species names, V. cabulicum, V. glaucum and V. kenouriense, previously treated as synonyms of V. glaucum, V. canescens and V. hirundinaria, respectively, are resurrected. A neotype is designated for the Afghani endemic V. cabulicum. A lectotype is chosen from the syntypes of V. glaucum. We resolve the long-standing taxonomic problems in three species complexes: V. arnottianum, V. luridum, V. sakesarense, and V. stocksii; V. glaucum, V. canescens and V. cabulicum; and V. hirundinaria and V. kenouriense. Geo-taxonomic distinctions of southern Asian taxa are highlighted by excluding from henceforth the long misrecognized western Eurasian taxa V. canescens and V. hirundinaria. Furthermore, a detailed account of the genus including illustrations of whole plants, leaves and corona, distribution maps, a taxonomic key, morphological descriptions, synonymy, notes, and information on phenology, distribution and habitats is provided. Finally, provisional conservation assessments are provided, which indicate that V. cardiostephanum and V. sakesarense are critically endangered.

Large-scale whole-genome resequencing unravels the domestication history of Cannabis sativa.

Cannabis sativa has long been an important source of fiber extracted from hemp and both medicinal and recreational drugs based on cannabinoid compounds. Here, we investigated its poorly known domestication history using whole-genome resequencing of 110 accessions from worldwide origins. We show that C. sativa was first domesticated in early Neolithic times in East Asia and that all current hemp and drug cultivars diverged from an ancestral gene pool currently represented by feral plants and landraces in China. We identified candidate genes associated with traits differentiating hemp and drug cultivars, including branching pattern and cellulose/lignin biosynthesis. We also found evidence for loss of function of genes involved in the synthesis of the two major biochemically competing cannabinoids during selection for increased fiber production or psychoactive properties. Our results provide a unique global view of the domestication of C. sativa and offer valuable genomic resources for ongoing functional and molecular breeding research.

Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities of Selected Medicinal Plants of Himalayas, Pakistan.

Medicinal plants are known for their diverse use in the traditional medicine of the Himalayan region of Pakistan. The present study is designed to investigate the anticancer and antimicrobial activities of Prunus cornuta and Quercus semicarpifolia. The anticancer activity was performed using cancerous human cell lines (HepG2, Caco-2, A549, MDA-MB-231, and NCI-H1437 carcinoma cells), while the antimicrobial activity was conducted with the agar-well diffusion method. Furthermore, toxicity studies were performed on alveolar and renal primary epithelial cells. Initially, different extracts were prepared by maceration techniques using n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and methanol. The preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, and quinones. The chloroform extract of P. cornuta (PCC) exhibited significant inhibitory activity against Acinetobacter baumannii (16 mm) and Salmonella enterica (14.5 mm). The A. baumannii and S. enterica strains appeared highly susceptible to n-hexane extract of P. cornuta (PCN) with an antibacterial effect of 15 mm and 15.5 mm, respectively. The results also showed that the methanolic extracts of Quercus semecarpifolia (QSM) exhibited considerable antibacterial inhibitory activity in A. baumannii (18 mm), Escherichia coli (15 mm). The QSN and QSE extracts also showed good inhibition in A. baumannii with a 16 mm zone of inhibition. The Rhizopus oryzae strain has shown remarkable mycelial inhibition by PCM and QSN with 16 mm and 21 mm inhibition, respectively. Furthermore, the extracts of P. cornuta and Q. semicarpifolia exhibited prominent growth inhibition of breast (MDA-MB-231) and lung (A549) carcinoma cells with 19-30% and 22-39% cell viabilities, respectively. The gut cell line survival was also significantly inhibited by Q. semicarpifolia (24-34%). The findings of this study provide valuable information for the future development of new antibacterial and anticancer medicinal agents from P. cornuta and Q. semicarpifolia extracts.

The In Vitro Antibacterial and Antioxidant Potentials of Helvetia bachu (Ascomycetes): A Newly Recorded Species from Pakistan.

A combination of micromorphology and phylogenetic analysis based on translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF-1α) revealed these specimens as Helvella bachu, the first record of this species in Pakistan after China. Moreover, the material was evaluated for antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Four strains of bacteria, i.e., Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella aerogenes, K. pneumonia, and Staphylococcus aureus were used for antibacterial activity following Soxhlet extraction. The maximum zone of inhibition of methanolic extract of H. bachu at 30 mg/mL against B. .subtilis was 31.9 ± 1.735 mm, followed by K. aerogenes (29.33 ± 2.19 mm), K. pneumoniae (27.08 ± 4.6 mm), and S. aureus (24 ± 1.53 mm), respectively. The methanolic extract, in free radical scavenging assay, of H. bachu has shown antioxidant potential with an IC50 value of 0.4047 µg/mL while that of ascorbic acid was 0.374 µg/mL. Hence, H. bachu can serve as a source of mushroom-based nutraceuticals.

Morphological characterization, growth appraisal, and probing biofuels potential of newly isolated Scenedesmus sp. from desert Cholistan.

Microalgae have an excellent potential for producing valuable natural products, including biofuels. Therefore, it is imperative to explore and document the existing microalgal flora and utilize their potentials to cope the increasing human needs. The present work aims at exploring and characterizing newly isolated microalgae from desert Cholistan, a habitat with myriad algal diversity. Light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and molecular phylogenetic approaches were used for species-level identification. Characterization and growth optimization of Scendesmus sp. were analyzed under three different growth modes to determine the most favorable conditions for increasing biomass, growth rate, and lipid content. The results revealed that mixotrophic (MT) mode significantly increases photosynthetic activity, growth rate, and lipid content with glycerol as supplement carbon source. The investigated Scenedesmus dimorphous produced a maximum dry weight of 1.73 g L-1 , improved fatty acid methyl esters profile and yield lipid up to 40% of DCW (68 g L-1 ) under MT mode, which is almost double to that of photoautotrophic cultivation. The glycerol availability in medium has been identified as the critical element for boosting growth and lipid content. Thus, it can reduce the cost of biofuel production.

Fungal Systematics and Evolution: FUSE 5.

Thirteen new species are formally described: Cortinarius brunneocarpus from Pakistan, C. lilacinoarmillatus from India, Curvularia khuzestanica on Atriplex lentiformis from Iran, Gloeocantharellus neoechinosporus from China, Laboulbenia bernaliana on species of Apenes, Apristus, and Philophuga (Coleoptera, Carabidae) from Nicaragua and Panama, L. oioveliicola on Oiovelia machadoi (Hemiptera, Veliidae) from Brazil, L. termiticola on Macrotermes subhyalinus (Blattodea, Termitidae) from the DR Congo, Pluteus cutefractus from Slovenia, Rhizoglomus variabile from Peru, Russula phloginea from China, Stagonosporopsis flacciduvarum on Vitis vinifera from Italy, Strobilomyces huangshanensis from China, Uromyces klotzschianus on Rumex dentatus subsp. klotzschianus from Pakistan. The following new records are reported: Alternaria calendulae on Calendula officinalis from India; A. tenuissima on apple and quince fruits from Iran; Candelariella oleaginescens from Turkey; Didymella americana and D. calidophila on Vitis vinifera from Italy; Lasiodiplodia theobromae causing tip blight of Dianella tasmanica 'variegata' from India; Marasmiellus subpruinosus from Madeira, Portugal, new for Macaronesia and Africa; Mycena albidolilacea, M. tenuispinosa, and M. xantholeuca from Russia; Neonectria neomacrospora on Madhuca longifolia from India; Nothophoma quercina on Vitis vinifera from Italy; Plagiosphaera immersa on Urtica dioica from Austria; Rinodina sicula from Turkey; Sphaerosporium lignatile from Wisconsin, USA; and Verrucaria murina from Turkey. Multi-locus analysis of ITS, LSU, rpb1, tef1 sequences revealed that P. immersa, commonly classified within Gnomoniaceae (Diaporthales) or as Sordariomycetes incertae sedis, belongs to Magnaporthaceae (Magnaporthales). Analysis of a six-locus Ascomycota-wide dataset including SSU and LSU sequences of S. lignatile revealed that this species, currently in Ascomycota incertae sedis, belongs to Pyronemataceae (Pezizomycetes, Pezizales).

In silico functional and tumor suppressor role of hypothetical protein PCNXL2 with regulation of the Notch signaling pathway.

Since the last decade, various genome sequencing projects have led to the accumulation of an enormous set of genomic data; however, numerous protein-coding genes still need to be functionally characterized. These gene products are called "hypothetical proteins". The hypothetical protein pecanex-like protein 2 Homo sapiens (PCNXL2) is found to be mutated in colorectal carcinoma with microsatellite instability; therefore, annotation of the function of PCNXL2 in tumorigenesis is very important. In the present study, bioinformatics analysis of PCNXL2 was performed at the molecular level to assess its role in the progression of cancer for designing new anti-cancer drugs. The retrieved sequence of PCNXL2 was functionally and structurally characterized through the web tools Pfam, Batch CD (conserved domain) search, ExPASy, COACH and I-TASSER directed for pathway analysis and design to explore the intercellular interactions of PCNXL2 involved in cancer development. The present study has shown that PCNXL2 encodes multi-pass transmembrane proteins whose tumor suppressor function may involve regulating Notch signaling by transporting protons across the membrane to provide suitable membrane potential for γ secretase function, which may liberate the Notch intracellular domain NICD from the receptor to inside the cell. Furthermore, domain A of PCNXL2 may exhibit nuclear transport activity of NICD from the cytoplasm to the nucleus through interaction with a nuclear localization signal that may act as an activator for Notch signaling in the nucleus. Conclusively, the tumor suppressor role of PCNXL2 by regulation of the Notch signaling pathway and its functional and structural characteristics are important findings. However, further studies are required to validate the putative role of PCNXL2 as a cancer biomarker in cancer development.

Exploring Durable Genetic Resistance against Leaf Rust through Phenotypic Characterization and Lr34Linked STS Marker in Wheat Germplasm / Explorando a resistência genética duradoura contra a ferrugem da folha através da caracterização fenotípica e do STS marker relacionado ao (GENE) LR34 do germoplasma do trigo

Present study was aimed to screening the population of 25 wheat genotypes from Baluchistan region of Pakistan along with five commercial cultivars for leaf rust adult plant resistance (APR) through gene postulation using natural inoculation of Puccinia triticina Erikss local pathotype. Infection severity was recorded on scale in comparison with susceptible control "Morroco" cultivar. On the basis of phenotypic score, seven accessions and four varieties (Zardana-89, Sariab-92, Zarlashta-99 and Raskoh-05) with AUDPC values up to 20% were characterized as resistant genotypes. Coefficient of infection (CI) score ranged from 0-10 for some accessions and cultivars showing high level of adult plant resistance. Furthermore, bi-allelic STS marker csLV34 having close linkage with Lr34 (0.4cM). This marker amplified one gene specific allele of 150bp in 21 genotypes, including 19 accessions and two commercial varieties (Sariab-92 and Zarghoon-79) which confirmed presence of Lr34 gene conferring adult plant resistance against leaf rust. The rust pathogenicity scale varied for accessions from resistant to moderately susceptible. However, beside Lr34, phenotypic gene postulation, in combination with marker assisted selection for leaf rust resistance, has revealed presence of some other unknown resistance genes in local wheat germplasm which signified its use in wheat improvement programs both locally and abroad.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo a triagem da população de 25 genótipos de trigo do Baluchistão, região do Paquistão, juntamente com cinco cultivares comerciais para o estudo da resistência à ferrugem da folha em plantas adultas (leaf rust adult plant resistance, APR, em inglês) através da postulação gênica usando a inoculação natural do patótipo local da Puccinia triticina Erikks. A gravidade da infecção foi registrada na escala em comparação ao cultivar de controle suscetível "Morroco". Com base na pontuação fenotípica, sete acessões e quatro variedades (Zardana-89, Sariab-92, Zarlashta-99 and Raskoh-05) com valores de AUDPC (area under the disease progress curve, em inglês) até 20% foram caracterizados como genótipos resistentes. A pontuação do coeficiente de infecção (CI) variou no intervalo de 0-10 para algumas acessões e cultivares evidenciando uma elevada resistência nas plantas adultas. Além disso, o STS marker para o csLV34 bi-alélico demonstrou uma ligação estreita com o Lr34 (0.4cM). Este marcador amplificou um alelo específico do gene do 150bp em 21 genótipos, incluindo 19 acessões e duas variedades comerciais (Sariab-92 and Zarghoon-79) o que confirmou a presença do gene Lr34 conferindo resistência às plantas adultas contra a ferrugem da folha. A escala de patogenicidade da ferrugem para as acessões de resistente a moderadamente suscetível. Contudo, além do Lr34, a postulação gênica fenotípica, em combinação com a seleção auxiliada (ou assistida) por marcadores para a resistência da ferrugem da folha, revelou a presença de outros genes resistentes desconhecidos no germoplasma do trigo local o que justifica a sua utilização em programas de melhoramento do trigo tanto a nível local quanto a nível internacional.

Documenting the indigenous knowledge on medicinal flora from communities residing near Swat River (Suvastu) and in high mountainous areas in Swat-Pakistan.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study aimed at documenting the indigenous knowledge on medicinal flora from the local communities residing near Swat River and high mountainous areas in Swat, Pakistan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Field study was carried out in 2013-14. The area was visited 17 times, and semi-structured and open-ended interviews were conducted in both the plain area nearby the Swat River (4 villages) and mountains (7 villages). A total of 83 erudite informants participated in the interviews with their prior consent. The collected data were analysed through quantitative indices viz., medicinal use value (MUV), relative frequency citation (RFC), family use value (FUV), informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (FL). RESULTS: A total of 78 species belonging to 45 vascular plant families were documented as medicinally important. Lamiaceae was observed the dominant medicinal plant family with 11 species, leaf was the most used part, and powder the most preferred preparation type. Maximum MUV (1) was shared by 15 species while maximum RFC (0.385) was demonstrated by both Brassica juncea and Lepidium sativum. Smaller families with mostly 1 species showed higher FUV while among the larger families Amaryllidaceae and Papaveraceae showed maximum FUV of 0.89 and 0.87, respectively. Highest FL was shown by Mentha arvensis (70%) against gastrointestinal diseases. Highest ICF was demonstrated by hepatic disorders (0.93). Furthermore, we revealed 108 indigenous herbal medicinal recipes, 6 plants added to the medicinal plant trade list, 1 species (Vincetoxicum arnottianum) reported for the first time as medicinal plant, and several new uses for 49 well known medicinal plants. CONCLUSION: The present survey documents diverse plant species that are utilised by local communities for treating a broad spectrum of disorders. Quantitative indices helped in marking important and most preferred plants. To conclude, we recommend the plants for pharmacological studies, documenting new uses, especially Vincetoxicum arnottianum, never screened before.

Going west - A subtropical lineage (Vincetoxicum, Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) expanding into Europe.

Vincetoxicum sensu lato is a tropical lineage comprising two clades that have reached high northern latitudes. Of the temperate clades, one is restricted to the Far East, the other one (Vincetoxicum s. str. Clade) extends into Europe, but their ranges overlap in Central China and Japan. Three species invasive in North America, V. hirundinaria, V. nigrum and V. rossicum, are members of the Vincetoxicum s. str. Clade. We explore the prerequisites for the range expansion in the Vincetoxicum s. str. Clade performing Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analyses on sequences of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the nuclear external transcribed spacer region (ETS), and five plastid markers. The resulting phylogeny is used to conduct biogeographic analysis using BioGeoBEARS to reconstruct ancestral species ranges. Moreover, we map the known occurrences of two rare characters in Asclepiadoideae, the possession of phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids and reported cases of autogamy onto our phylogeny. Finally, we have conducted ecological niche modelling using Maxent on a total of 220 spatially unique occurrences of nine Vincetoxicum s. str. species spanning more than 4,000 km along the east-west gradient to learn about the climatic conditions along the presumed migration route. Our results indicate a north-westward migration in Vincetoxicum s. str. along the Asian mountain chains to Europe. Climatic preferences of the nine species sampled are dissimilar, except for the common exposure to at least one month of subfreezing temperatures, indicating a rather wide climatic tolerance for the clade as a whole. The three species invasive in North America belong to the northern Eurasian subclade and show the rare combination of phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids and autogamy.

L-asparaginase as a critical component to combat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL): A novel approach to target ALL.

L-asparaginase, an anti-leukaemic drug that has been approved for clinical use for many years in the treatment of childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), is obtained from bacterial origin (Escherichia coli and Erwinia carotovora). The efficacy of L-asparaginase has been discussed for the past 40 years, and an ideal substitute for the enzyme has not yet been developed. The early clearance from plasma (short half-life) and requirement for multiple administrations and hence frequent physician visits make the overall treatment cost quite high. In addition, a high rate of allergic reactions in patients receiving treatment with the enzyme isolated from bacterial sources make its clinical application challenging. For these reasons, various attempts are being made to overcome these barriers. Therefore, the present article reviews studies focused on seeking substitutes for L-asparaginase through alternative sources including bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, algae and plants to overcome these limitations. In addition, the role of chemical modifications and protein engineering approaches to enhance the drug's efficacy are also discussed. Moreover, an overview has also been provided in the current review regarding the contradiction among various researchers regarding the significance of the enzyme's glutaminase activity.

Phytochemical analysis of Hibiscus caesius using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.

Various species in genus Hibiscus are traditionally known for their therapeutic attributes. The present study focused on the phytochemical analysis of a rather unexplored species Hibiscus caesius (H. caesius), using high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The analysis revealed five major compounds in the aqueous extract, viz. vanillic acid, protocatechoic acid, quercetin, quercetin glucoside and apigenin, being reported for the first time in H. caesius. Literature suggests that these compounds have important pharmacological traits such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and hepatoprotective etc. however, this requires further pharmacological investigations at in vitro and in vivo scale. The above study concluded the medicinal potential of H. caesius.