Use of textile waste water along with liquid NPK fertilizer for production of wheat on saline sodic soils

A field experiment in collaboration with a private textile industry (Noor Fatima Fabrics Private (Ltd.), Faisalabad) was conducted to evaluate the effect of disposed water from bleaching unit, printing unit and end drain for improving growth and yield of wheat under saline sodic soil. Textile waste water along with canal water (control) was applied with and without liquid NPK fertilizer. The application of liquid NPK fertilizer with end drain waste water increased plant height, spike length, flag leaf length, root length, number of tillers (m^?2), number of fertile tillers (m^?2), 1000 grain weight, grain yield, straw yield and biological yield up to 21, 20, 20, 44, 17, 20, 14, 44, 40 and 41%, respectively compared to canal water (control). Similarly, the NPK uptake in grain was increased up to 15, 30 and 28%, respectively by liquid fertilizer treated end drain water as compare to canal water with liquid fertilizer. Moreover, concentration of different heavy metals particularly Cu, Cr, Pb and Cd was decreased in grains by application of waste water along with liquid NPK. The result may imply that waste water application along with liquid-NPK could be a novel approach for improving growth and yield of wheat in saline sodic soils.     

Toe-to-thumb transfer: a new technique

Our technique combines the advantages of two proven techniques of the wraparound flap and vascularized joint transfer while offering a more normal thumb, both functionally and cosmetically. Its advantages are as follows: 1. A more normal-looking thumb with good length 2. Preservation of motion through joint transfer 3. Maintenance of growth potential through transfer of vascularized epiphyses 4. Minimal donor-site morbidity     

Photo-movement of coral larvae influences vertical positioning in the ocean

Coral Reefs - Behaviour can have profound consequences for the dispersal potential of an organism. In the marine environment, larvae rely heavily on oceanic currents to migrate from one area to...     

The emerging role of miR-200 family in metastasis: focus on EMT,CSCs, angiogenesis,and anoikis

Introduction

Cancer is the second major threat to human society and one of the main challenges facing healthcare systems. One of the main problems of cancer care is the metastases of cancer cells that cause 90% of deaths due to cancer. Multiple molecular mechanisms are involved in cancer cell metastasis. Therefore, a better understanding of these molecular mechanisms is necessary for designing restrictive strategies against cancer cell metastasis. Accumulating data suggests that MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in metastasis and invasion of human tumors through regulating multiple genes expression levels that are involved in molecular mechanisms of metastasis. The goal of this review is to present the molecular pathways by which the miR 200 family manifests its effects on EMT, cancer stem cells, angiogenesis, anoikis, and the effects of tumor cell metastases.

Methods

A detailed literature search was conducted to find information about the role of the miR-200 family in the processes involved in metastasis in various databases.

Results

Numerous lines of evidence revealed an association between the mir-200 family and metastasis of human tumors by impressing processes such as cancer stem cells, EMT, angiogenesis, and anoikis.

Conclusions

Understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with metastasis in which the miR-200 family is involved can be effective in treating metastatic cancers.

Graphic abstract

     

Identification of the uvrB gene product

We have constructed plasmids carrying various restriction fragments of the biouvrB region of the Escherichia coli chromosome. By analyzing the proteins synthesized in maxicells from the uvrB⁺ plasmid pDR1494, and its derivatives containing γδ sequences inserted in the uvrB gene, we have determined that the uvrB gene is about two kilobase-pairs in length, that it is transcribed clockwise on the standard E. coli genetic map, and that it codes for a single polypeptide of M_r = 84,000. The number of uvrB polypeptides in a normal cell is estimated to be about 140.We have also found that the uvrB gene is cut by EcoRI near its promoter.     

4-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone modulates redox signal in gamma-irradiation-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Cellular exposure to ionising radiation leads to oxidative stress events, which refer to elevated intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The elevated levels of ROS significantly contributed to γ-radiation (IR) induced cytotoxicity. In an attempt to minimise these cytotoxic effects, antioxidant compounds have been identified to counteract radiation- associated toxicities. We mainly aimed to study the protective effect of 4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone (HMB) on IR-induced nephrotoxicity, whereas it was previously shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in different inflammation models. Animals were treated orally with HMB (25?mg/kg b.wt daily) then performed by whole-body gamma-irradiation of animals with 6?Gy; a single dose applied on the 15th day and animals were sacrificed at the end of the 23rd day. It was found that IR exposure significantly induced renal oxidative injury that accompanied by inflammatory disturbance. Also, NADPH oxidase and iNOS gene expressions were significantly up-regulated, while the mitochondrial enzymes (complex I &; II) were significantly down-regulated in IR exposed animals. Additionally, Western immunoblotting analysis of signalling growth factor protein; p38 MAPK was significantly overexpressed. Interestingly, HMB treatment showed statistically significant amelioration in parameters with an improved histological structure upon the IR-induced nephrotoxicity. It can be concluded that modulation of NADPH-oxidase, iNOS and mitochondrial enzymes by HMB might be responsible for the amendment of the antioxidant status and impairment of p38 MAPK signal, thus attenuate the nephrotoxicity induced post IR exposure.     

Influence of Precocene II on the estimated changes within the haemocyte population of parasitized spodoptera littoralis larvae by microplitis rufiventris

Series of experiments were undertaken to investigate whether application of Precocene II (PII) to parasitized S. littoralis larvae can influence their THCs and DHCs. PII was applied in single dose treatments (70μg/5 μl/dose). Haemolymph samples were taken at daily intervals from day 3 to day 8 post‐treatments. Two distinct alterations were noted; first, PII‐treatments caused significant decrease in THCs. Once the parasitoid larvae emerge from either treated or untreated hosts, a sharp decline in THCs was observed. The second effect was changes in DHCs of S. littoralis larvae. In controls, haemocyte types could be arranged in descending order due to their relative occurrence into plasmatocytes (PLs), prohaemocytes (PRs), spherule cells (SPs), granular cells (GRs) and oenocytoids (OEs). This order changed in treated hosts to PLs, GRs, PRs, SPs and OEs, i.e., GRs that were less prevalent in the haemolymph of control larvae increased significantly in PII‐treated hosts. In the latters, sharp rise in GRs levels followed parasitoid emergence. OEs cells were scarce in both treated and untreated hosts. No significant difference was observed between the overall means of PLs in both types of host larvae. But GRs‐PRs was markedly altered in treated larvae.     

The miR-30 MicroRNA Family Targets smoothened to Regulate Hedgehog Signalling in Zebrafish Early Muscle Development

The importance of microRNAs in development is now widely accepted. However, identifying the specific targets of individual microRNAs and understanding their biological significance remains a major challenge. We have used the zebrafish model system to evaluate the expression and function of microRNAs potentially involved in muscle development and study their interaction with predicted target genes. We altered expression of the miR-30 microRNA family and generated phenotypes that mimicked misregulation of the Hedgehog pathway. Inhibition of the miR-30 family increases activity of the pathway, resulting in elevated ptc1 expression and increased numbers of superficial slow-muscle fibres. We show that the transmembrane receptor smoothened is a target of this microRNA family. Our results indicate that fine coordination of smoothened activity by the miR-30 family allows the correct specification and differentiation of distinct muscle cell types during zebrafish embryonic development.