Aflatoxin B<Subscript>1</Subscript> in chilies from the Punjab region,Pakistan

The occurrence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in chilies from Pakistan was determined by using HPLC in work undertaken in Pakistan. Whole (n = 22) and powdered (n = 22) chilies were analyzed. Sixteen (73.0%) and 19 (86.4%) samples of whole and ground chilies, respectively, were contaminated. The mean concentration in powdered chilies (32.20 μg/kg) was higher statistically than in whole chilies (24.69 μg/kg). Concentrations ranged from 0.00 to 89.56 μg/kg for powdered chilies, compared with 0.00–96.3 μg/kg for whole chilies. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.05 μg/kg and 0.53 μg/kg, respectively. The concentrations were high in general and greater than the statutory limit set by the European Union. There is considerable scope for improvements in chili production in Pakistan.     

Voltammetric probes of cytochrome electroreactivity: the effect of the protein matrix on outer-sphere reorganization energy and electronic coupling probed through comparisons with the behavior of porphyrin complexes

Using surface-modified electrodes composed of omega-hydroxyalkanethiols, an experimentally based value for the inner-sphere reorganization energy of the bis(imidazole)iron porphyrin system has been obtained by examining the solvent dependence of the reorganization energy of bis(N-methylimidazole)meso-tetraphenyl iron porphyrin. The value obtained (0.41 +/- 0.06 eV) is remarkably similar to values we have recently reported for the reorganization energy of cytochrome b(5) (0.43 +/- 0.02 eV) and cytochrome c (0.58 +/- 0.06 eV). This strongly suggests that the protein matrix mimics the behavior of a low dielectric solvent and effectively shields the heme from the solvent. The effect of the orientation of the heme relative to the electrode was also explored by sytematically varying the steric bulk of the axial ligands. On the basis of a good linear correlation between the electronic coupling and the cosine of the angle between the heme plane and the surface of the electrode, it is suggested that a parallel orientation of the heme yields a maximum in the electronic coupling. Relevance to interheme protein electron transfer is discussed.     

Micropropagation through excised root culture of Clitoria ternatea and comparison between in vitro–regenerated plants and seedlings

An efficient protocol has been developed for high‐frequency shoot regeneration and plant establishment of Clitoria ternatea – a potential medicinal legume. Adventitious shoots were regenerated from young excised root segments of aseptic seedlings on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various concentrations of 6‐benzyladenine (BA), kinetin, α‐naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) or 2,4‐dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4‐D) either singly or in various combinations. The highest frequency (100%) of shoot regeneration and maximum number (16.4 ± 0.24) of shoots per explant was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 20 μm BA and 2.0 μm NAA. Organogenic calli were produced on a medium containing 2,4‐D (10 or 20 μm ) and BA (5.0 μm ). The calli were differentiated into multiple shoots on MS medium supplemented with 2.5–10 μm BA and 2.0 μm NAA. The microshoots were rooted on half‐strength MS medium supplemented with 5.0 μm indole‐3‐butyric acid and transplanted successfully in field conditions. After 12 months of transfer to ex vitro conditions, the performance of micropropagated plants were evaluated on the basis of some physiological and biochemical parameters and compared with the in vivo–grown plants of the same age. The sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis protein profile was same between regenerated and naturally growing shoots. Total soluble protein in aerial part as well as in seeds of in vitro–regenerated and in vivo–grown plants was almost the same. The mitotic study showed normal chromosomal movement and numbers (2x = 16).     

Corrigendum to “Synthesis,structure-activity relationship and molecular docking studies of 3-O-flavonol glycosides as cholinesterase inhibitors” [Bioorg. Med. Chem. 26 (12) (2018) 3696–3706]

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Seasonal population dynamics of dusky cotton bug (Oxycarenus spp.) in transgenic cotton varieties under field conditions

Dusky cotton bug (Oxycarenus spp.) has become a major insect pest for cotton crop in Pakistan. Transgenic cotton varieties provided resistance to a variety of insects pests. But, these are not safe for this emerging potential threat. In present study, nine transgenic cotton varieties (IUB-222, MNH-886, FH-142, CIM-599, A-555, CIM-602, NIAB-777, MNH-786 and Bt-666) were assessed for seasonal population dynamics of dusky cotton bug (DCB) under field conditions. All transgenic varieties showed a differential DCB population over the months and no transgenic variety was free from DCB population throughout the crop duration. DCB population appeared during 3rd week of July and crossed the economic threshold level (10–15 nymph/ adults or both per plant) during August. A substantial increase in DCB population was noted during September-November with its peak population during October, 2014. Among all varieties, three varieties (CIM-599, CIM-602 & IUB-222) showed a significantly lower mean population per plant (37.76, 37.87, 43.84) and two varieties (FH-142, MNH-886) gave highest population (44.71, 46.81), respectively. Correlation matrix revealed that low temperature and high humidity were promoting the DCB population. Cluster analysis revealed interesting findings that IUB-222 with least population fall in a cluster where other two varieties (FH-142 & MNH-886) possessed highest population. Moreover, two varieties (CIM-599 & CIM-602) with least population fall in second cluster regarding DCB population. These findings would be helpful for the farmers to select the varieties that showed relatively higher resistance towards DCB population and to adopt proper management strategies keeping in view the trend of DCB population during the crop season.     

First genetic evidence for the presence of the rumen fluke Paramphistomum epiclitum in Pakistan

More than 70 species of the Superfamily Paramphistomoidea, have been identified in ruminants in different parts of the world. Most are pathogenic, causing amphistomosis. Adult flukes within this family have a predilection for the forestomach (rumen) or bile duct of the liver, where they may cause epithelial damage. Identification of adult Paramphistomum, Calicophoron, Gastrothylax and Fischoederius at the species level based on morphology requires specialised expertise, whereas molecular genetic marker analysis is more precise and transferable. In the present study, we performed molecular characterisation of twenty seven adult flukes collected from the forestomachs of buffalo, cattle and goats in the Punjab province of Pakistan. PCR and sequencing of the ITS-2 rDNA region revealed a single haplotype in all cases. Phylogenetic comparison of P. epiclitum ITS2-rDNA sequences with those from other Paramphistomum, Calicophoron, Gastrothylax and Fischoederius species was performed to assess within and between species variation and validate the use of ITS-2 rDNA as a robust species-specific marker for P. epiclitum identification. This work provides a validated species-specific marker of P. epiclitum and the first report of this parasite species from Pakistan. The results of this study also have implications for the diagnosis and control of rumen flukes in the region and the need for accurate species identification to understand parasite distribution and population genetics.     

Playing God and the ethics of divine names: an Islamic paradigm for biomedical ethics

The notion of 'playing God' frequently comes to fore in discussions of bioethics, especially in religious contexts. The phrase has always been analyzed and discussed from Christian and secular standpoints. Two interpretations exist in the literature. The first one takes 'God' seriously and playing 'playfully'. It argues that this concept does state a principle but invokes a perspective on the world. The second takes both terms playfully. In the Islamic Intellectual tradition, the Sufi concept of 'adopting divine character traits' provides a legitimate paradigm for 'playing God'. This paradigm is interesting because here we take both terms 'God' and 'playing' seriously. It is significant for the development of biomedical ethics in contemporary Islamic societies as it can open new vistas for viewing biotechnological developments.     

Expression studies of stress responsive genes in cotton Gossypium hirsutum L.

Molecular Biology Reports - Cotton is the world’s richest source of natural fiber. Meanwhile cotton plant is top ranked stress sensitive plant thereby affecting its yield and fiber quality....     

Cloning and characterization of Na+/H+ antiporter (LfNHX1) gene from a halophyte grass Leptochloa fusca for drought and salt tolerance

Abiotic stresses such as salinity and drought have adverse effects on plants. In the present study, a Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter gene homologue (LfNHX1) has been cloned from a local halophyte grass (Leptochloa fusca). The LfNHX1 cDNA contains an open reading frame of 1,623 bp that encodes a polypeptide chain of 540 amino acid residues. LfNHX1 protein sequence showed high similarity with NHX1 homologs reported from other halophyte plants. Amino acid and nucleotide sequence similarity, protein topology modeling and the presence of conserved functional domains in the LfNHX1 protein sequence classified it as a vacuolar NHX1 homolog. The overexpression of LfNHX1 gene under CaMV35S promoter conferred salt and drought tolerance in tobacco plants. Under drought stress, transgenic plants showed higher relative water contents, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and membrane stability index as compared to wild type plants. More negative value of leaf osmotic potential was also observed in transgenic plants when compared with wild type control plants. Transgenic plants showed better germination and root growth at 2 mg L^?1 Basta herbicide and three levels (100, 200 and 250 mM) of sodium chloride. These results showed that LfNHX1 is a potential candidate gene for enhancing drought and salt tolerance in crops.