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Cysteine-rich receptor-like-kinases ( CRKs ), a transmembrane subfamily of receptor-like kinase, play crucial roles in plant adaptation. As such cotton is the major source of fiber for the textile industry, but environmental stresses are limiting its growth and production. Here, we have performed a deep computational analysis of CRKs in five Gossypium species, including G. arboreum (60 genes) , G. raimondii (74 genes) , G. herbaceum (65 genes) , G. hirsutum (118 genes), and G. barbadense (120 genes). All identified CRKs were classified into 11 major classes and 43 subclasses with the finding of several novel CRK-associated domains including ALMT, FUSC_2, Cript, FYVE, and Pkinase . Of these, DUF26_DUF26_Pkinase_Tyr was common and had elevated expression under different biotic and abiotic stresses. Moreover, the 35 land plants comparison identified several new CRKs domain-architectures. Likewise, several SNPs and InDels were observed in CLCuD resistant G. hirsutum . The miRNA target side prediction and their expression profiling in different tissues predicted miR172 as a major CRK regulating miR. The expression profiling of CRKs identified multiple clusters with co-expression under certain stress conditions. The expression analysis under CLCuD highlighted the role of GhCRK057, GhCRK059, GhCRK058, and GhCRK081 in resistant accession. Overall, these results provided primary data for future potential functional analysis as well as a reference study for other agronomically important crops.

Anemia is a prevalent complication endured by patients with chronic renal disease. Renal anemia also leads to the development of cardio-vascular complications. Epoetin alpha and beta are recombinant human erythropoietin prioritized for managing anemia in hemodialysis patients. The current study aimed to compare the therapeutic efficacy of both erythropoietin alpha and erythropoietin beta in treating renal anemia. This prospective observational study was conducted in a Renal Dialysis Centre at a tertiary care Hospital of Karachi, Pakistan for a period of 3 months. The two erythropoietin products used were human recombinant erythropoietin alpha (Tropin®) and erythropoietin beta (Recormon®). Both groups were age-matched, BMI, eGFR, gender, and comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension were indifferent. The comparative analysis was performed after the completion of 3 months. A total of 94 participants were included in the analysis, 54 in group A and 40 in group B. Mean albumin, urea, creatinine, ferritin, iron, and transferrin saturation at inclusion were statistically insignificant, TIBC was higher in group A (p = 0.005) and CRP levels were slightly higher in group B (p = 0.050). There was significant improvement in Hb level (p = 0.025), PCV (p = 0.001), and RBC count (p = 0.007) in group B. While in group A, there was significantly increased MCV (p = 0.005) and MCHC (p = 0.002). In intention to treat analysis, 22.2% of subjects in group A and 40.0% in group B reached desired Hb levels of ≥11 g/l after 3 months. In our assessment of hemodialysis patients, erythropoietin beta was found more effective than erythropoietin alpha.

Efficiency analysis of the Partner Organizations can benefit all the microfinance sector's key stakeholders to benchmark the current scene and formulate optimal policy agenda. This study seeks to measure the partner organizations of the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund's social and financial efficiency and to identify causes and sources of their inefficiencies. A non-parametric technique known as Data Envelopment Analysis is applied to investigate the Partner Organizations' efficiency throughout 2005–2015. The required data was obtained from the database of the Mix-Market and Pakistan Microfinance Network. The social and financial efficiency was estimated assuming Constant Return to Scale, Variable Return to Scale, and with respect to the Operational Scale of the Partner Organizations. Results revealed that the partner organizations are more scale efficient (median = 75%) than pure technically efficient (median = 55%). Further, graphical representations show a decreasing linear trend and negative serial correlation in the percentage of efficient partner organizations. The model fit results show that institutional characteristics that influence partner organizations' efficiencies significantly include their age, Operational Self-Sufficiency, personnel, loan officers, assets and debt. Finally, the diagnostic tests for endogeneity, heteroskedasticity, heterogeneity, and cross-sectional dependence were performed.

This paper examines the financial and social efficiency of the microcredit programs offered by the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund partner organizations. Panel data concerning variables of interest are collected from Pakistan Microfinance Network, covering a minimum of 14 partner organizations (in 2005) to a maximum of 35 partner organizations (in 2014). The data is analyzed using the Data Envelopment Analysis, assuming both constant and variable returns to scale scenarios and the operational scale of the partner organizations. Trends in average efficiency scores have been analyzed to assess the mission drift of the partner organizations. Results reveal that managerial inefficiency is more pronounced than the sub-optimal production scale in all three scenarios under consideration. Moreover, trends in the efficiency scores indicated a slight mission drift of the microfinance providers. About 77.5% of the partner organizations were financially sustainable over the entire study period. The study recommends providing objective-oriented training, workshops, and seminars for managing microfinance providers.

Mentha arvensis is an important medicinal herb possess strong therapeutic values, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antiulcer, cardioprotective, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties. Also, nanotechnology is an emerging multidisciplinary science having multiple applications in different fields. Based on the medicinal properties of the M. arvensis and applications of the nanoparticles, the current work was focused on the biogenically synthesized AgNPs. The Prepared NPs were characterized via UV–visible spectrometry, Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). UV–visible spectral investigation showed an absorption reading peak at 434 nm due to surface plasmon resonance, indicating phyto-reduction. XRD spectrum revealed the crystalline-like nature and average size of AgNPs ranging from 2.5–47.3 nm. SEM micrograph represented the spherical, irregular, and aggregated nature of AgNPs. EDX graph evidenced 68.6% of elemental Ag sample material, hence confirming the phyto-reduction. Biogenically synthesized AgNPs have shown considerable anti-microbial action against gram-negative and positive strains of bacteria. The highest zone of inhibition (ZOI) was detected on higher concentrations of AgNPs towards E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Enterobacter aerogenes , and Acetobacter sicerae (14 ± 1.0 mm, 13 ± 2.65 mm, 13 ± 1.0 mm, and 12 ± 1.0 mm, respectively. The excellent antifungal potential against Alternaria alternata , with maximum growth inhibition of 68.1% followed by 65.6% against Aspergillus niger, 64.3% Fusarium oxysporium and 64.1% against Ascochyta rabiei at the highest concentratin of 20 mg was observed. The maximum TAC was 73.5%, TRP 70.2%, DPPH 59.6%, and biocompatibility was 1.66 ± 0.10. Conclusively, the biosynthesized AgNPs have exhibited good potential (therapeutic and antimicrobial properties) and should be further inspected to improve their significance for practical application.

Indigofera linifolia is a medicinally important plant, and by virtue of its rich phytochemical composition, this plant is widely used as essential component in traditional medication systems. Due to its wide range of medicinal applications, the extract-loaded chitosan (Ext+Ch), extract-loaded PEG (Ext+PEG), and extract-loaded locust bean gum (Ext+LGB) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared in the present study. The prepared NPs were then evaluated for their antibacterial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic potentials. Antibacterial activities of the crude extract and the synthesized NPs were performed following standard procedures reported in the literature. The antioxidant capabilities of extract and NPs were evaluated using DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The antidiabetic potential of the samples was evaluated against α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Ext+PEG NPs showed more potent antibacterial activity against the selected strains of bacteria with the highest activity against Escherichia coli. The lowest antibacterial potential was observed for Ext+LGB NPs. The Ext+LGB NPs IC50 value of 39 μg/mL was found to be the most potent inhibitor of DPPH free radicals. Ext+LGB NPs showed a greater extent of inhibition against α-glucosidase and α-amylase with an IC50 of 83 and 78 μg/mL, whereas for the standard acarbose the IC50 values recorded against the mentioned enzymes were 69 and 74 μg/mL, respectively. A high concentration of phenolics and flavonoids in the crude extract was confirmed through TPC and TFC tests, HPLC profiling, and GC–MS analysis. It was considered that the observed antibacterial, antidiabetic, and antioxidant potential might be due the presence of these phenolics and flavonoids detected. The plant could thus be considered as a potential candidate to be used as a remedy of the mentioned health complications. However, further research in this regard is needed to isolate the exact responsible compounds of the observed biological potentials exhibited by the crude extract. Further, toxicity and pharmacological evaluations in animal models are also needed to establish the safety or toxicity profile of the plant.

As an essential micronutrient, copper is vital for normal growth and development of plants, however, its accumulation in soil exerts a severe negative impact on the agronomic characteristics and yield of the crop plants. Phytoextraction is a low-cost method for restoring soil fertility and avoiding losses due to heavy metal contamination. We found that using EDTA and IAA together improved sunflower hyperaccumulation capacity. Sunflowers were cultivated under various levels of Cu (0 (control), 25, 50, and 75 mg/kg of soil) and treated with EDTA alone or combined with IAA. The results revealed that the amended treatment significantly enhanced the absorption and accumulation of Cu in the sunflowers. Furthermore, the various doses of Cu significantly reduced the root and shoot growth of sunflowers in a concentration-dependent manner by impairing the chlorophyll content, hormones (indole 3-acetic acid, salicylic acid, and gibberellic acid), flavonoids, phenolics, and antioxidant response. The injurious effect of Cu was reduced by the addition of EDTA alone, and the supplementation of IAA led to a significant restoration of shoot growth (~70%) and root growth (~13%) as compared to the plant treated with Cu alone. Moreover, significantly higher levels of chlorophyll content, GA3, endogenous IAA, and flavonoids were recorded, indicating the effectiveness of the treatment in ameliorating plant health. The results also showed considerable restoration of the catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities in plants treated with EDTA and IAA. These results are suggestive that application of EDTA and IAA enhances the Cu absorption potential of sunflower and increases its tolerance to copper, which may not only serve as a better technique for phytoextraction of Cu, but also to bring Cu contaminated soil under cultivation.

This paper explores the impact of tariffs, imports substitution and investment efficiency on economic growth in Pakistan. For this purpose, secondary data was collected from world development indicators from 1981 to 2017. The study found that all variables have integrated at different orders by employing the augmented dickey-fuller test. Econometrically, the study employed Johansen and Juselius (1990) Cointegration Test, vector error correction model and autoregressive distribution lag model to build up the relationship among the variables. The results found that the tariff rate had a positive effect on economic growth. The coefficients of all variables’ like consumer price index, private investment, public investment and exchange rate are positively related to economic growth. While tariffs rate was negatively related to public investment. Moreover, Foreign assistance, consumer price index and Government revenue was positively related to public investment. Employment in Agriculture sector was positively related to economic growth, while Employment in the industrial sector is negatively related to economic growth. There is a positive relationship between employment in the service sector and economic growth. The foreign exchange reserves had a positive effect on economic growth, while Tariffs on all manufactured products had a positive effect on economic growth, while the Tariff on all products are negatively related to economic growth. Finally, the relationship between subsidies and economic growth is directly related. The results of the short-run and long-run relationship amongst the measurable indicators of import substitution had a positive and negative effect on economic growth in Pakistan. This study suggested that the government should re-consider a tariff and import substitution policy to promote economic growth. Due to imposition of high tariff rate and import substitution it will create an opportunity to domestic producer to produce import substitution goods in domestically. It will lead to increase in economic growth.

The current study attempts to evaluate the formation, morphology, and physico-chemical properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized from Clinopodium vulgare extract at different pH values and to investigate their antimicrobial and biomedical application potential. The reduction of zinc ions to ZnO NPs was determined by UV spectra, which revealed absorption peaks at 390 nm at pH 5 and 348 nm at pH 9, respectively. The spherical morphology of the nanoparticles was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the size was 47 nm for pH 5 and 45 nm for pH 9. Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to reveal the presence of functional groups on the surface of nanoparticles. The antibacterial activity was examined against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Klebsiella pneumonia via the agar-well diffusion method. Comparatively, the highest activities were recorded at pH 9 against all bacterial strains, and among these, biogenic ZnO NPs displayed the maximum inhibition zone (i.e., 20.88 ± 0.79 mm) against S. aureus. ZnO NPs prepared at pH 9 exhibited the highest antifungal activity of 80% at 25 mg/mL and antileishmanial activity of 82% at 400 mg/mL. Altogether, ZnO NPs synthesized at pH 9 show promising antimicrobial potential and could be used for biomedical applications.

Soils salinization along with heavy metals contamination is among the serious environmental menaces. The present experiment was conducted to study the combined influence of salinity and nickel (Ni) on growth and physiological attributes of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). Thirty-day-old healthy and uniform seedlings of quinoa genotype A7 were exposed to different concentrations of Ni (0, 100, 200, 400 µM), NaCl (0, 150, 300 mM) and their combinations for three weeks. Results indicated that plant growth, pigments and stomatal conductance decreased with increasing Ni concentrations in nutrient solution. Combining lower level of salt (150 mM NaCl) with Ni resulted in improvement in growth and physiological attributes of quinoa. However, the combined application of higher level of salt (300 mM NaCl) with Ni was more detrimental for plant growth and caused more oxidative stress (H2O2 and TBARS) than the alone treatments. The oxidative stress was mitigated by 5.5-fold, 5-fold and 15-fold increase in the activities of SOD, CAT and APX, respectively. The concentration of Na was increased, while K and Ni decreased under the combined treatment of Ni and salinity. Multivariate analysis revealed that a moderate level of salinity had positive effects on growth and Ni phytoremediation potential of quinoa. The higher tolerance index, bioconcentration factor and lower translocation factor depicted that quinoa genotype A7 can be cultivated for phytostabilization of Ni under salinity stress. It was concluded that NaCl salinity level of 150 mM is promising for increasing growth of quinoa on Ni contaminated soils.