Population-level gene expression can repeatedly link genes to functions in maize.

Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) can provide single gene resolution for candidate genes in plants, complementing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) but efforts in plants have been met with, at best, mixed success. We generated expression data from 693 maize genotypes, measured in a common field experiment, sampled over a 2-h period to minimize diurnal and environmental effects, using full-length RNA-seq to maximize the accurate estimation of transcript abundance. TWAS could identify roughly 10 times as many genes likely to play a role in flowering time regulation as GWAS conducted data from the same experiment. TWAS using mature leaf tissue identified known true-positive flowering time genes known to act in the shoot apical meristem, and trait data from a new environment enabled the identification of additional flowering time genes without the need for new expression data. eQTL analysis of TWAS-tagged genes identified at least one additional known maize flowering time gene through trans-eQTL interactions. Collectively these results suggest the gene expression resource described here can link genes to functions across different plant phenotypes expressed in a range of tissues and scored in different experiments.

A hybrid framework with large language models for rare disease phenotyping.

PURPOSE: Rare diseases pose significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment due to their low prevalence and heterogeneous clinical presentations. Unstructured clinical notes contain valuable information for identifying rare diseases, but manual curation is time-consuming and prone to subjectivity. This study aims to develop a hybrid approach combining dictionary-based natural language processing (NLP) tools with large language models (LLMs) to improve rare disease identification from unstructured clinical reports. METHODS: We propose a novel hybrid framework that integrates the Orphanet Rare Disease Ontology (ORDO) and the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) to create a comprehensive rare disease vocabulary. SemEHR, a dictionary-based NLP tool, is employed to extract rare disease mentions from clinical notes. To refine the results and improve accuracy, we leverage various LLMs, including LLaMA3, Phi3-mini, and domain-specific models like OpenBioLLM and BioMistral. Different prompting strategies, such as zero-shot, few-shot, and knowledge-augmented generation, are explored to optimize the LLMs' performance. RESULTS: The proposed hybrid approach demonstrates superior performance compared to traditional NLP systems and standalone LLMs. LLaMA3 and Phi3-mini achieve the highest F1 scores in rare disease identification. Few-shot prompting with 1-3 examples yields the best results, while knowledge-augmented generation shows limited improvement. Notably, the approach uncovers a significant number of potential rare disease cases not documented in structured diagnostic records, highlighting its ability to identify previously unrecognized patients. CONCLUSION: The hybrid approach combining dictionary-based NLP tools with LLMs shows great promise for improving rare disease identification from unstructured clinical reports. By leveraging the strengths of both techniques, the method demonstrates superior performance and the potential to uncover hidden rare disease cases. Further research is needed to address limitations related to ontology mapping and overlapping case identification, and to integrate the approach into clinical practice for early diagnosis and improved patient outcomes.

Cadmium inhibits powdery mildew colonization and reconstructs microbial community in leaves of the hyperaccumulator plant Sedum alfredii.

Understanding the influence of the heavy metal cadmium (Cd) on the phyllosphere microbiome of hyperaccumulator plants is crucial for enhancing phytoremediation. The characteristics of the phyllosphere of Sedum alfredii Hance, a hyperaccumulator plant, were investigated using 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer amplicon sequencing of powdery mildew-infected leaves treated or untreated with Cd. The results showed that the colonization of powdery mildew caused severe chlorosis and necrosis in S. alfredii leaves, and the relative abundance of Leotiomycetes in infected leaves increased dramatically and significantly decreased phyllosphere microbiome diversity. However, S. alfredii preferentially accumulated higher concentrations of Cd in the leaves of infected plants than in uninfected plants by powdery mildew, which in turn significantly inhibited powdery mildew colonization in leaves; the relative abundance of the fungal class Leotiomycetes in infected leaves decreased, and alpha and beta diversities of the phyllosphere microbiome significantly increased with Cd treatment in the infected plants. In addition, the inter-kingdom networks in the microbiota of the infected leaves treated with Cd presented many nodes and edges, and the highest inter-kingdom modularity compared to the untreated infected leaves, indicating a highly connected microbial community. These results suggest that Cd significantly inhibits powdery mildew colonization by altering the composition of the phyllosphere microbiome in S. alfredii leaves, paving the way for efficient heavy metal phytoremediation and providing a new perspective on defense strategies against heavy metals.

Case Report Of A Rare Incidentaloma Of The Adrenal Gland-Schwannoma.

The Schwannoma is a benign growth of the nerve sheath cells most commonly seen in the vestibulocochlear nerve. Its prevalence in the adrenal gland is 1-3%. Here we discuss a case that presented as an incidentaloma of the right adrenal gland in a young male patient who had vague abdominal symptoms and a normal hormonal profile. He underwent an excisional biopsy of the right adrenal gland due to the large size of the lesion (more than 4cm). The histopathology report helped to establish the diagnosis of Schwannoma. Incidentaloma is defined as a lesion of the adrenal gland encountered on any radiological investigation carried out for symptoms that are not associated with adrenal pathologies. After discovering such lesions, it is imperative to perform radiological and hormonal investigations in an organised manner to plan further management of such cases.

Heterologous expression of bacterial dehydrin gene in Arabidopsis thaliana promotes abiotic stress tolerance.

Salinity, low temperature, and drought are major environmental factors in agriculture leading to reduced crop yield. Dehydrins (DHNs) are induced transcriptionally during cellular dehydration and accumulate in different tissues during abiotic stresses. Here we isolated and characterized a bacterial gene BG757 in Arabidopsis, encoding a putative dehydrin type protein. ABA induces the expression of various dehydrins in plants, therefore, to elucidate the potential role, ABA sensitivity was examined in Arabidopsis transgenic lines expressing BG757. Interestingly, BG757-expressing plants showed hypersensitivity towards NaCl and ABA during seed germination. In addition to germination, BG757-expressing plants also showed root growth retardation in the presence of ABA and NaCl when compared with wild type (WT), suggesting that BG757 positively regulate salt stress and ABA response. Furthermore, BG757-expressing plants showed significant drought tolerance compared with WT. Consistent with drought tolerance, expression levels of stress inducible genes (DREB2A, RD22, RD26, LEA7 and SOS1) were strongly upregulated in transgenic plants compared with WT. All together these results suggest that heterologous expression of bacterial gene, BG757 in plants promotes resistance to environmental stresses. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-023-01358-w.

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).

Phytochemical Investigation, Antioxidant Properties and In Vivo Evaluation of the Toxic Effects of Parthenium hysterophorus.

Parthenium hysterophorus L. is a poisonous Asteraceae weed. The phytochemical profile, antioxidant activity, total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), and cytotoxicity of Parthenium hysterophorus L. flower extract were evaluated in this study, and the toxic effects were assessed in rabbits. The HPLC-DAD system was used for phytochemical analysis. The hemolytic and DPPH assays were performed. The effects of orally administering the flower crude extract to rabbits (n = 5) at four different doses (10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg) for ten days on hematological and biochemical parameters were investigated. The crude extract of the flower contained phenolic compounds such as Gallic acid, Chlorogenic acid, Ellagic acid, and P Coumaric acid, which were detected at different retention times, according to the HPLC results. With a sample peak of 4667.475 %, chlorogenic acid was abundant. At concentrations of 80 µg, the methanolic extract of flowers had total phenolic contents (89.364 ± 4.715 g GAE/g) and total flavonoid contents (65.022 ± 2.694 g QE/g). In the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, 80 µg of extract had the highest cell inhibition of 76.90% with an IC50 value of 54.278 µg/µL, while in the hemolytic assay 200 µg of extract had the highest cell inhibition of 76.90% with an IC50 > 500. The biochemical and hematological parameters were altered in the flower extract-fed groups as compared to the control (p < 0.05). The toxic effects on the blood, liver, and kidneys were confirmed. The findings also confirmed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid content in the flower extract, both of which contribute to the plant's antioxidant potential.

Hypobaric treatment augments the efficacy of 1-MCP in apple fruit.

This research aimed to extend the postharvest shelf life of Royal Gala apple during cold storage and maintain its market value in simulated retail conditions. Apples were treated with hypobaric pressure (50 kPa for 4 h) followed by 1-MCP (0.5 µL L-1, 0.7 µL L-1, and 1.0 µL L-1) treatment for 24 h individually and in combinations, stored at (1 ± 1 °C, 85 ± 3% RH) for 120 d and analyzed for different quality parameters (Peel color, firmness, weight loss, TSS, acidity, ethylene production rate, and respiration rate) at each 30 d interval, followed by a 20 d simulated retail condition at 20 ± 3 °C with 4 d interval. Results indicated that all 1-MCP concentrations were more effective in retaining quality compared to individual hypobaric treatment. However, a synergistic effect was observed by combining 1-MCP with hypobaric treatment. Among the combined treatments, 1.0 µL L-11-MCP + 50 kPa more effectively and significantly retained quality during cold storage. Furthermore, the apples were more juicy, tasty, and attractive in color than others in simulated conditions. Addition of hypobaric treatment to 1-MCP might reduce endogenous ethylene in fruit by outward diffusion and blocking further ethylene synthesis by the action of 1-MCP. However, in-depth study is required for further understanding the phenomena.

The potential of microbes and sulfate in reducing arsenic phytoaccumulation by maize (Zea mays L.) plants.

Arsenic (As) contamination in soil-plant system is an important environmental, agricultural and health issue globally. The microbe- and sulfate-mediated As cycling in soil-plant system may depend on soil sulfate levels, and it can be used as a potential strategy to reduce plant As uptake and improve plant growth. Here, we investigated the role of soil microbes (SMs) to examine As phytoaccumulation using maize as a test plant, under varying sulfate levels (S-0, S-5, S-25 mmol kg-1) and As stress. The addition of sulfate and SMs promoted maize plant growth and reduced As concentration in shoots compared to sulfate-treated plants without SMs. Results revealed that the SMs-S-5 treatment proved to be the most promising in reducing As uptake by 27% and 48% in root and shoot of the maize plants, respectively. The SMs-S treatments, primarily with S-5, enhanced plant growth, shoot dry biomass, Chl a, b and total Chl (a + b) contents, and gas exchange attributes of maize plants. Similarly, the antioxidant defense in maize plants was increased significantly in SMs-S-treated plants, notably with SMs-S-5 treatment. Overall, the SMs-S-5-treated plants possessed improved plant growth, dry biomass, physiology and antioxidant defense system and decrease in plant shoot As concentration. The outcomes of this study suggest that sulfate supplementation in soil along with SMs could assist in reducing As accumulation by maize plants, thus providing a sustainable and eco-friendly bioremediation strategy in limiting As exposure.

Therapeutic role of Typha elephantina leaves aqueous extract in paracetamol intoxicated rabbits.

Present study is aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective and hematopoietic effect of Typha elephantina leaves aqueous (T.E.AQ), extract in paracetamol (PCM) intoxicated rabbits. Experimental animals were divided into various groups. The blood was taken on day 7th (W1=Week 1), day 14th (W2 = week 2) and day 21st (W3 = week 3) of treatments and was analyzed for all hematological and serum biochemical markers. PCM administration caused marked increase in the levels of serum biochemical and hematological parameters. The leaves of T.E.AQ extract at dose rate 300mg/kg body weight significantly (P<0.05) reduced the elevated levels of serum biochemical and hematological indices towards normal values on third week (day 21st) of treatment while treatment in the first two weeks revealed non-significant effects even at all doses of extract. The levels of glutathione (GSH) and radical scavenging activity (RSA) were reduced and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels was high in the PCM feed animals. Administration of (T.E.AQ) extract at high dose (300mg/kg) significantly regulated and normalized these antioxidant values. The antioxidant capacity of (TE.AQ) extract, showed increase inhibition against various extract concentrations on the basis of percent scavenging of (DPPH) free radical. The histological sections of liver further supported the hepatoprotective activity of extract.

GC/MS analysis, anti-leishmanial and relaxant activity of essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioides (L.) from Malakand region.

Chenopodium ambrosioides is abundantly available in Malakand region. As constituents and concentrations of essential oils vary based on its geographical location, we carried our current study to extract and evaluate its possible relaxant activity in rabbits' jejunum and anti-leishmanial activity against promastigotes of Leishmania tropica. The essential oil was obtained from aerial fresh parts through steam distillation followed by GC/MS analysis. Antispasmodic activity was performed on spontaneous and KCl induced contractions. Curves for calcium concentration response (CCRCs) were prepared with and without different concentrations of essential oils and verapamil - a standard calcium channel blocker as per our reported procedures. GC/MS analysis indicated that the essential oil contains 4-carene (56.59%) and o-cymene (41.46%), the two most abundant compounds previously reported from this species. The LD50 value for acute toxicity is 279.66±2.2mg/kg. The essential oil have significant antileishmanial activity with LC50 of Log10 (1.83±0.0026) ×10-6mg/ml, potent relaxant activity on rabbits' jejunal preparations with respective EC50 = 1.46±0.15mg/ml for spontaneous activity. For KCl (80mM) induced contractions, EC50=0.26±0.02mg/ml. In CCRCs, the oil produced a right shift as exhibited by verapamil. More, its relaxant activity, which is mediated through calcium channel blocking mechanism, proves a rationale for its traditional use in gut spasm.

Glycine, the smallest amino acid, confers neuroprotection against D-galactose-induced neurodegeneration and memory impairment by regulating c-Jun N-terminal kinase in the mouse brain.

BACKGROUND: Glycine is the smallest nonessential amino acid and has previously unrecognized neurotherapeutic effects. In this study, we examined the mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effect of glycine (Gly) against neuroapoptosis, neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and memory impairment resulting from D-galactose-induced elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the onset of neurodegeneration in the brains of C57BL/6N mice. METHODS: After in vivo administration of D-galactose (D-gal; 100 mg/kg/day; intraperitoneally (i/p); for 60 days) alone or in combination with glycine (1 g/kg/day in saline solution; subcutaneously; for 60 days), all of the mice were sacrificed for further biochemical (ROS/lipid peroxidation (LPO) assay, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry) after behavioral analyses. An in vitro study, in which mouse hippocampal neuronal HT22 cells were treated with or without a JNK-specific inhibitor (SP600125), and molecular docking analysis were used to confirm the underlying molecular mechanism and explore the related signaling pathway prior to molecular and histological analyses. RESULTS: Our findings indicated that glycine (an amino acid) inhibited D-gal-induced oxidative stress and significantly upregulated the expression and immunoreactivity of antioxidant proteins (Nrf2 and HO-1) that had been suppressed in the mouse brain. Both the in vitro and in vivo results indicated that D-gal induced oxidative stress-mediated neurodegeneration primarily by upregulating phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK) levels. However, D-gal + Gly cotreatment reversed the neurotoxic effects of D-gal by downregulating p-JNK levels, which had been elevated by D-gal. We also found that Gly reversed D-gal-induced neuroapoptosis by significantly reducing the protein expression levels of proapoptotic markers (Bax, cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved PARP-1) and increasing the protein expression level of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Both the molecular docking approach and the in vitro study (in which the neuronal HT22 cells were treated with or without a p-JNK-specific inhibitor (SP600125)) further verified our in vivo findings that Gly bound to the p-JNK protein and inhibited its function and the JNK-mediated apoptotic pathway in the mouse brain and HT22 cells. Moreover, the addition of Gly alleviated D-gal-mediated neuroinflammation by inhibiting gliosis via attenuation of astrocytosis (GFAP) and microgliosis (Iba-1) in addition to reducing the protein expression levels of various inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ßeta and TNFα). Finally, the addition of Gly reversed D-gal-induced synaptic dysfunction by upregulating the expression of memory-related presynaptic protein markers (synaptophysin (SYP), syntaxin (Syn), and a postsynaptic density protein (PSD95)) and markedly improved behavioral measures of cognitive deficits in D-gal-treated mice. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that Gly-mediated deactivation of the JNK signaling pathway underlies the neuroprotective effect of Gly, which reverses D-gal-induced oxidative stress, apoptotic neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and memory impairment. Therefore, we suggest that Gly (an amino acid) is a safe and promising neurotherapeutic candidate that might be used for age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

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.

Microbial diversity response in thallium polluted riverbank soils of the Lanmuchang.

Thallium (Tl) is a toxic element, but little is known about microbial communities' response to TI mobilization and sequestration. Here, we characterize the microbial communities and their feedbacks to Tl-pollution in riverbank soils to understand the distribution of microbial metal tolerance. These soils have been affected by pollution sourced from a Tl-rich mineralized area in Lanmuchang, Guizhou, China. In all studied soil samples, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria were revealed relatively in higher abundance at the phylum level. The results indicated that a number of microbial communities including Gemmatimonadetes, and Actinobacteria were correlated with total Tl, suggesting potential roles of these microbes to Tl tolerance. The patterns of phylogenetic beta-diversity in studied samples showed a high diversity of the microbial community in soils with high Tl concentrations. Sequence analysis of microbial community indicated that most of the environmental parameters in soils were associated with the major phylogenetic groups such as Gemmobacteria, Bryobacteria, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Rhodobacteria. Some species of microbes, Nocardioides (genus), Actinomycetales (Order), Ralstonia (phyla) and Sphingomonas (genus) might are tolerant of Tl. These results provide direction to the microbial communities in the presence of elevated Tl concentration in Lanmuchang and shed light on bioremediation of Tl polluted locations.

Comparative analysis of the effects of chemically and biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles on biomass accumulation and secondary metabolism in callus cultures of Fagonia indica.

Biotechnological strategies are needed to produce larger quantities of biomass and phytochemicals. In this study, callus cultures of Fagonia indica were elicited with different concentrations of chemically and biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (chem- and bioAgNPs) to compare their effects on biomass, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activity of the extracts from callus. The results revealed that bioAgNPs being more biocompatible produced the highest biomass initially on day 10 (FW = 4.2152 ± 0.13 g; DW = 0.18527 ± 0.01 g) and day 20 (FW = 7.6558 ± 0.10 g; DW = 0.3489 ± 0.01 g) when supplemented in media as 62.5 µg/mL and 250 µg/mL, respectively. Initially, the highest TPC (319.32 ± 8.28 µg GAE/g of DW) was recorded on day 20 in chemAgNPs (31.25 µg/mL) induced callus as compared to TPC = 302.85 ± 3.002 µg GAE/g of DW in bioAgNPs-induced callus. Compared to the highest values of TFC (108.15 ± 2.10 µg QE/g of DW) produced in 15.6 µg/mL chemAgNPs-induced callus on day 20, TFC produced in bioAgNPs (62.5 µg/mL) was 168.61 ± 3.17 µg GAE/g of DW on day 10. Similarly, chemAgNPs-induced callus (62.5 µg/mL) showed the highest free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) i.e. 87.18% on day 20 while bioAgNPs (125 µg/mL) showed 81.69% FRSA on day 20 compared to highest among control callus (63.98% on day 40). The highest total antioxidant capacity of chemAgNPs-(125 µg/mL) induced callus was 330.42 ± 13.65 µg AAE/g of DW on day 20 compared to bioAgNPs-(62.5 µg/mL) induced callus (312.96 ± 1.73 µg AAE/g of DW) on day 10. Conclusively, bioAgNPs are potent elicitors of callus cultures of F. indica.

A Review on the Status of Mercury Pollution in Pakistan: Sources and Impacts.

Mercury (Hg) contamination in environmental matrices and associated human exposure has been recognized as a critical long-lasting issue worldwide. However, studies are still elusive that summarized the overall status of Hg pollution and its impacts on public health in Pakistan. Hence, this review encompasses the environmental prevalence, potential sources, and human exposure tendencies to Hg contamination in Pakistan. Reviewed literature revealed jolting levels of Hg in various environmental samples, such as dust, soil, water, and air collected from the residential and industrial areas. Inhalation of Hg via dust particle was identified as the primary pathway for human exposure, while atmospheric deposition and gold mining are identified as the two primary sources of Hg contamination in the environment. Considering human exposure, the highest bioaccumulation of Hg was ranged from 5885 to 8698 µg/kg in hair samples collected from the residents of the Kashmir Valley, Pakistan. However, in the lower Himalayan regions, including Islamabad and Swabi, the concentration of Hg in hair samples was reported at 1085 µg/kg, slightly beyond WHO devised reference dose (RfD) of Hg (1000 µg/kg). This review revealed the worst scenario of Hg contamination in human biomatrices and environmental compartments in Pakistan, which needed immediate rehabilitation measures.

A comprehensive review on current status, mechanism, and possible sources of arsenic contamination in groundwater: a global perspective with prominence of Pakistan scenario.

Arsenic(As)-mediated contamination of groundwater resources in different parts of the world is a consequence of natural or anthropogenic sources, leading to adverse effects on the environment and human health. Millions of people from different countries are unfortunately consuming groundwater contaminated with alarming levels of As. Exposure to the high concentration of As for an extended period of time can cause devastating effects on human health such as skin lesions, cardiac disorders, discolouration and cancer. Until 2018, about 11 districts of Sindh and Punjab provinces in Pakistan had been found with As contamination in groundwater beyond the national defined permissible level, i.e. 50 µg/L. Tharparkar and Hyderabad (in Sindh province) along Indus river and Lahore and Kasur (in Punjab province) are well-known hotspots sites of natural geogenic As contamination in groundwater. Higher levels of Sulfates (SO42-), Chloride (Cl-) and Carbonate (CO32-) along with the elevated values of electrical conductivity and basic pH, as well as augmented presence of "As V" species, were all an indication of oxidizing condition in groundwater, and these oxidizing conditions are identified as the primary mechanism of As contamination into aquifers of Pakistan via oxidative dissolution. The main aim of this review is to summarize and discuss the current contamination status of As in groundwater water globally with a special focus on Pakistan scenario, isotopic evidence to track sources of groundwater recharge and its effects on As contamination in groundwater with various redox conditions prevailing in Pakistan. In addition, public health consequences of As contamination and mitigation strategies for As removal from water resources have been also highlighted. In this review, the data were extracted from various cutting edge studies published in national and international journals.

Unraveling prevalence and public health risks of arsenic, uranium and co-occurring trace metals in groundwater along riverine ecosystem in Sindh and Punjab, Pakistan.

The current study focuses on the understanding of contamination status, distribution, source apportionment and health perspectives of arsenic (As), uranium (U) and other co-occurring trace metals in the groundwater samples collected along the major rivers in Sindh and Punjab provinces, Pakistan. ICP-MS analysis revealed that the concentrations of As in the groundwater in Sindh and Punjab ranged from 0.2 to 81.1 µg/L (n = 38) and 1.1 to 501.1 µg/L (n = 110), respectively. Importantly, this study is the first evidence of U contamination in the groundwater samples in Pakistan, which revealed the concentrations of U at from 0.8 to 59.0 and 0.1 to 556.0 µg/L respectively, in Sindh and Punjab. Moreover, the concentrations of Sr and Mn exceeded the WHO limits in the current study area. Anthropogenic activities such as urbanization, direct dispose of industrial, agricultural waste into waterways and extensive use of pesticides and fertilizers might be the main sources of elevated levels of total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity, which increased the mobilization of As, U and Sr in the groundwater samples. Human health risk assessment parameters such as average daily dose, hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk indicated severe risks of As and U in the study area. The HQ values of As and U in Punjab were observed at 69.6 and 7.7, respectively, implying the severity of the health risks associated with consumption of contaminated groundwater for drinking purposes. In a nutshell, proactive control and rehabilitation measures are recommended to eradicate trace metals associated groundwater contamination in the targeted areas to avoid future worst scenarios.

Psychosocial correlates of prolonged postpartum depression in mothers of children with movement disorders: cross-sectional study from a paediatric developmental rehabilitation centre in Peshawar.

OBJECTIVE: To identify potential predictors of prolonged postpartum depression in mothers of children with physical disabilities. METHODS: The cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted at a paediatric neurodevelopmental rehabilitation centre in Peshawar, Pakistan, from December 9, 2016, to January 23, 2017, and comprised mothers of children with movement disorders born between January, 2014, and June, 2016. Prolonged postpartum depression was defined as onset of maternal depression between 6 and 36 months after birth. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used with a cut-off score of 13/30, while a pretested questionnaire examined risk and protective factors predicting prolonged postpartum depression using binary logistic regression. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: There were 171 subjects with a mean age of 27±6.4 years. Among them, prolonged postpartum depression was found in 95(55.6%). Six significant predictors of the condition were identified: supportive husband, child's disability having negative effect on social ties, daily physical help in childcare by at least one family member, pregnancy-induced hypertension, mother being blamed for child's disability, and financial problems (p<0.05 each). CONCLUSIONS: The identified predictors specific to local settings played a distinctive role in prolonged post-partum depression occurrence, particularly in the context of disability.

A review of global outlook on fluoride contamination in groundwater with prominence on the Pakistan current situation.

Several million people are exposed to fluoride (F-) via drinking water in the world. Current review emphasized the elevated level of fluoride concentrations in the groundwater and associated potential health risk globally with a special focus on Pakistan. Millions of people are deeply dependent on groundwater from different countries of the world encompassing with an elevated level of fluoride. The latest estimates suggest that around 200 million people, from among 25 nations the world over, are under the dreadful fate of fluorosis. India and China, the two most populous countries of the world, are the worst affected. In Pakistan, fluoride data of 29 major cities are reviewed and 34% of the cities show fluoride levels with a mean value greater than 1.5 mg/L where Lahore, Quetta and Tehsil Mailsi are having the maximum values of 23.60, 24.48, > 5.5 mg/L, respectively. In recent years, however, other countries have minimized, even eliminated its use due to health issues. High concentration of fluoride for extended time period causes adverse effects of health such as skin lesions, discoloration, cardiovascular disorders, dental fluorosis and crippling skeletal fluorosis. This review deliberates comprehensive strategy of drinking water quality in the global scenario of fluoride contamination, especially in Pakistan with prominence on major pollutants, mitigation technologies, sources of pollution and ensuing health problems. Considering these verities, health authorities urgently need to establish alternative means of water decontamination in order to prevent associated health problems.