Resumo Acacia modesta (AM) e Opuntia monocantha (OM) estão distribuídas no Paquistão, Afeganistão e Índia. Ambas as plantas têm propriedades farmacológicas diferentes. Este estudo foi desenhado para avaliar o potencial anticancerígeno de Acacia modesta (AM) e Opuntia monocantha (OM). A linha celular de câncer de fígado HepG2 foi usada para avaliação da atividade anticâncer. Para a avaliação dos efeitos antiproliferativos, a viabilidade celular e a morte celular em todos os grupos de células foram avaliadas através dos ensaios de MTT, cristal violeta e azul de tripano. Para a avaliação da apoptose foi realizado ELISA de p53. Além disso, o ensaio de LDH para descobrir a capacidade das células malignas de metabolizar o piruvato em lactato e a atividade das enzimas antioxidantes (GSH, CAT e SOD) no final da HPLC foi realizado para encontrar o composto ativo de AM e OM. Citotoxicidade (MTT), ensaios de viabilidade (azul de tripano, viabilidade de cristal, análise MUSE) mostraram mais células mortas e menos células vivas nos grupos tratados com plantas com aumento da concentração. O ensaio de arranhão para o efeito anti-migratório dessas plantas mostrou que os grupos tratados não têm capacidade de cicatrizar arranhão/ferida. ELISA de p53 para apoptose celular mostrou maior liberação de p53 nos grupos tratados. Ensaio antioxidante via glutationa (GSH), superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) mostrou menor potencial antioxidante nos grupos de câncer tratados. O ensaio de LDH mostrou mais liberação de lactato desidrogenase nos grupos tratados em comparação com os não tratados. A análise de HPLC mostrou a presença de fitoquímicos como esteróides, alcalóides, fenóis, flavonóides, saponinas, taninos, antraquinona e aminoácidos nos extratos vegetais AM e OM. Com base em todos esses achados, pode-se concluir que os extratos etanólicos de Acacia modesta e Opuntia monocantha apresentam potencial anticancerígeno promissor.

Abstract Acacia modesta (AM) and Opuntia monocantha (OM) are distributed in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India. Both of these plants have different pharmacological properties. This study was designed to evaluate anticancer potential of Acacia modesta (AM) and Opuntia monocantha (OM). Liver cancer cell line HepG2 was used for assessment of anticancer activity. For the evaluation of anti-proliferative effects, cell viability and cell death in all groups of cells were evaluated via MTT, crystal violet and trypan blue assays. For the evaluation of apoptosis ELISA of p53 performed. Furthermore, LDH assay to find out the ability of malignant cells to metabolize pyruvate to lactate and antioxidant enzymes activity (GSH, CAT and SOD) at the end HPLC was performed to find active compound of AM and OM. Cytotoxicity (MTT), Viability assays (trypan blue, crystal viability, MUSE analysis) showed more dead, less live cells in plant treated groups with increase of concentration. Scratch assay for the anti-migratory effect of these plants showed treated groups have not ability to heal scratch/wound. ELISA of p53 for cellular apoptosis showed more release of p53 in treated groups. Antioxidant assay via glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) showed less anti-oxidative potential in treated cancer groups. LDH assay showed more lactate dehydrogenase release in treated groups compared with untreated. HPLC analysis showed the presence of phytochemicals such as steroids, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, anthraquinone and amino acids in AM and OM plant extracts. Based on all these findings, it can be concluded that ethanolic extracts of Acacia modesta and Opuntia monocantha have promising anti-cancer potential.

Resumo Mutações de ocorrência natural na proteína morfogenética 15 (BMP15) estão associadas à diminuição da taxa de ovulação (TO), tamanho da ninhada (TN) e esterilidade. Estudar a BMP15 na raça Cholistani para elevar o status socioeconômico e o conhecimento da criação de ovinos Cholistani no sul de Punjab, Paquistão. Em nosso estudo, 50 ovelhas Cholistani inférteis sem parentesco sanguíneo foram rastreadas para mutações BMP15. Para tanto, um DNA de alta qualidade foi extraído do sangue dessas ovelhas, seguido de concepção do primer, amplificação da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), sequenciamento de DNA e análises in silico. Do total de 50 amostras, 9, incluindo caso 1 (T3), caso 2 (T8), caso 3 (T17), caso 4 (T22), caso 5 (T25), caso 6 (T33), caso 7 (T40), caso 8 (T44) e caso 9 (T47), foram consideradas positivas para uma variedade de mutações BMP15 novas e já relatadas. Mais análises in silico das mutações observadas mostraram o impacto funcional dessas mutações em diferentes características (peso molecular, PI teórico, meia-vida estimada, índice de instabilidade, localização subcelular e confirmação 3D) das proteínas codificadas, possivelmente alterando a funcionalidade normal. Nossos achados confirmaram o possível papel essencial das mutações BMP15 na infertilidade de ovelhas Cholistani.

Abstract Naturally occurring mutations in morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) are associated with decreased ovulation rate (OR), litter size (LS), and sterility. It is of a great interest to elucidate BMP15 gene in Cholistani sheep breed to uplift socio-economic status and the knowledge of Cholistani sheep breeding in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. In our study, a total of 50 infertile Cholistani sheep aged between 2-6 years and having no blood relation were screened for BMP15 mutations. For this purpose, a high-quality DNA was extracted from the blood of sheep followed by primer designing, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification, DNA sequencing, and in silico analyses. Out of total 50 samples, 9 samples including case 1 (T3), case 2 (T8), case 3 (T17), case 4 (T22), case 5 (T25), case 6 (T33), case 7 (T40), case 8 (T44), and case 9 (T47) were found positive for a variety of already reported and novel BMP15 mutations. Further in silico analyses of the observed mutations have shown the functional impact of these mutations on different characteristics (molecular weight, theoretical PI, estimated half-life, instability index, sub-cellular localization, and 3D confirmation) of the encoded proteins, possibly altering the normal functionality. In a nutshell, findings of this study have confirmed the possible essential role of the BMP15 mutations in the infertility of the Cholistani sheep.

Abstract Cold-formed steel (CFS) construction is widely recognised as an important contributor to sustainability and green construction. Thus, the use of CFS construction is encouraged and had been advanced by innovations in its structural applications. One such innovation that has recently gained popularity is the use of CFS sections in composite construction. The researchers assembled two CFS C-lipped channels back to back to construct I-beam sections for testing. Innovative bracket shear connectors were also developed and inserted between concrete slabs and steel beams in order to provide composite action. The composite beams were drastically stronger and stiffer than non-composite beams. The experimental results were validated theoretically with a high level of correspondence. The proposed composite beams with CFS sections were found to be strong and stiff enough to be used in the construction industry.

RESUMO: Foi realizado um estudo sobre o efeito alelopático mediado pelo solo de Echinochloa colona (L.) Link (capim-arroz) na germinação de sementes e no crescimento de plântulas de Zea mays L. (milho). A experiência foi conduzida em uma fazenda do Departamento de Agronomia da Universidade de Agricultura, Faisalabad, Paquistão. Investigou-se o efeito de diferentes concentrações (1, 2, 3, 4 e 5% na razão p/p) de resíduos de plantas de E. colona incorporados ao solo no surgimento e crescimento de plântulas de milho, seguido de comparação com solo livre de resíduos (controle). Os resultados revelaram o efeito estimulador dos resíduos de E. colona incorporados ao solo em plântulas de milho de até 2% de resíduo de plantas de E. colona; observou-se efeito inibitório nas concentrações acima de 2% de resíduos de plantas de E. colona em comparação com o tratamento controle. Foi observada redução máxima em porcentagem de emergência, comprimento de raiz e parte aérea, peso seco da raiz e da parte aérea e índice de vigor de plântulas de milho na concentração de 5% de resíduos de plantas de E. colona. Quercetina, ácido ferúlico, ácido sinápico, ácido siríngico, ácido cinâmico e ácido m-cumárico foram identificados como fenólicos hidrossolúveis no extrato de água de E. colona.

ABSTRACT: The soil mediated allelopathic effect of Echinochloa colona (L.) Link (jungle rice) was investigated on seed germination and seedling growth of Zea mays L. (maize). The experiment was conducted in the Agronomy farm of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. This study investigated the effect of different concentrations (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% on w/w basis) of soil incorporated E. colona plant residues on emergence and seedling growth of maize and compared them with residue free soil (control). The results revealed the significant increase with soil incorporated E. colona residues in maize seedling growth till 2% E. colona plant residues, and an inhibitory effect was noticed over 2% E. colona plant residues in comparison to the control treatment. There was maximum reduction in emergence percentage, root and shoot lengths, root and shoot dry weights and seedling vigor index of maize seedlings at 5% E. colona plant residues. Quercetin, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, syringic acid, cinnamic acid, m-coumaric acid were identified as water soluble phenolic in water extract of E. colona.

ABSTRACT Background: Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are a major public health problem. Prompt reporting of suspected ADRs is fundamental in the post-marketing surveillance of medicines and helps in ensuring medicine safety. However, fewer ADRs are reported in general and in particular by community pharmacists. There is limited knowledge about the factors which are preventing community pharmacists in the UK from reporting an ADR. Objectives: To identify the barriers to ADR reporting among community pharmacists practicing in the UK. Methods: A cross sectional study using a 25-items questionnaire (both online and paper based) including 10 barriers to ADR reporting was conducted from 1st April 2012 to September 2012. Community pharmacists practicing in the West Midlands, UK, were approached for the participation in this study. Chi-Square and regression were applied to identify covariates for the barriers to ADR reporting. A significant value of 0.05 was assigned for analysis. Results: Of the 230 invited community pharmacists, 138 pharmacists responded (response rate 60%). The median age of respondents was 31 years. All pharmacists reported that they would report both serious and mild ADRs from drugs with black triangle among children as well as adults. About 95% (n=131) of the pharmacists were familiar with the paper based ADR reporting system. Store-based pharmacists were more likely to be more confident about which ADRs to report [0.680, 95% Confidence Interval 0.43-3.59]. Lack of time 46.4% (n=64), and pharmacists perception that ADR is not serious enough to report (65.2%; n=90) were identified as barriers to ADR reporting. Majority 63.0% (n=87) of the pharmacists identified training and information about what to report and access to Information Technology (IT) (For example access to internet connection) 61.6% (n=85) as facilitators to ADR reporting process. Conclusion: Lack of time and ADRs considered not serious enough by pharmacists to report were barriers to ADR reporting. Further training and education about the types of ADRs to be reported can help to improve the reporting of ADRs.

Drought is the major abiotic stress that limits the crop production at drastic level. Screening of tolerant accessions from available germplasm is the basic step in plant breeding. Sunflower is becoming popular and major oilseed crop in world but unfortunately it is drought sensitive. Screening in field has uncertainties due to the uncontrolled conditions, interaction of biotic and abiotic stresses and variability in environmental factors. Response of the sixty sunflower accessions to drought stress at germination and seedling stage was examined by using polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) as drought simulator under laboratory. Normal and drought stress treatments i.e. T1= zero (control), T2= -1.33 MPa and T3= -1.62 MPa were developed by dissolving 0, 15g and 20g Polyethylene Glycol (PEG-6000) in 100 mL distilled water and a completely randomized design with three replications were used. Promptness, germination, seedling height, fresh weight, dry weight and stress indexes were determined to evaluate the response of sunflower accessions under normal and PEG simulated drought stress treatments. Principal component analysis was used to select the drought tolerant and sensitive accessions. The accessions 017583, A-75, A-79, 017592, G-33, A-48, A-23, G-61, HBRS-1 and 017566 were selected as drought tolerant while, CM-621, 017577, HA-124, HA-133, HA-342 and HA-341 were as drought sensitive. This study may be helpful for the comparison of drought indexes in a controlled experimental assay and for the identification of drought tolerant sunflower cultivars to be used in further breeding programs.

Com o objetivo de investigar o efeito alelopático de Marsilea minuta sobre a germinação e crescimento de plântulas de arroz (Oryza sativa) e trigo (Triticum aestivum), bioensaios foram realizados tanto em placas de Petri como em solo, em condições de laboratório. Sementes de arroz e trigo foram germinadas em 1, 2, 3, 4 e 5% (m/v) de extrato aquoso de planta inteira e 2, 4, 6 e 8% (m/m) de resíduos de M. minuta incorporados ao solo. Em placas de Petri, 5% (m/v) de extrato aquoso de M. minuta resultou em menores porcentagens de germinação (18,8 e 56,3%), comprimento de raiz (0,9 e 4,5 cm), comprimento da parte aérea (3,3 e 12,4 cm) e de plântulas (4,1 e 25,0 cm), massa seca das raízes (1,4 e 5,6 g) e de parte aérea (1,1 e 9,0 g), biomassa (2,5 e 14,6 g) e índice de vigor das plântulas (77,4 e 957,3) em arroz e trigo, respectivamente. Em experimentos em vasos, a incorporação ao solo de M. minuta a 8% reduziu a germinação (25,3 e 37,5%), os comprimentos de raiz (2,7 e 6,1 cm), parte aérea (6,2 e 16,5 cm) e plântulas (8,9 e 22,6 cm), a massa seca de raiz (2,4 e 5,5 g), parte aérea (4,0 e 2,8 g) e plântulas (6,4 e 8,3 g) e os índices de vigor das plântulas (224,1 e 855,3) de arroz e trigo, respectivamente. O maior efeito fitotóxico de extrato aquoso de M. minuta a 5% sobre as culturas deve-se à presença de dois compostos fenólicos potentes: ácidos p cumárico (2,91 mg L-1) e m cumárico (1,59 mg L-1), conforme determinação por HPLC.

To investigate the allelopathic effect of Marsilea minuta against the germination and seedling growths of rice (Oryza sativa) and wheat (Triticum aestivum), germination bioassays were conducted in both Petri dish and soil cultures in laboratory conditions. Rice and wheat seeds were allowed to germinate in a 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5% (w/v) aqueous extract of whole plant and 2, 4, 6, and 8% (w/w) plant residue-incorporated soils of M. minuta. In Petri dish experiments, 5% (w/v) an aqueous extract of M. mimuta showed significantly lower germination percentages (18.8% and 56.3%), root lengths (0.9 and 4.5 cm), shoot lengths (3.3 and 12.4 cm), seedling lengths (4.1 and 25.0 cm), root dry weights (1.4 and 5.6 g), shoot dry weights (1.1 and 9.0 g), seedling biomasses (2.5 and 14.6 g), and seedling vigor indices (77.4 and 957.3) in rice and wheat, respectively. In pot experiments, the M. minuta residue infested soil, with 8% concentration, produced significantly lower germination percentages (25.3 and 37.5%), root lengths (2.7 and 6.1 cm), shoot lengths (6.2 and 16.5 cm), seedling lengths (8.9 and 22.6 cm), root dry weights (2.4 and 5.5 g), shoot dry weights (4.0 and 2.8 g), seedling biomasses (6.4 and 8.3 g), and seedling vigor indices (224.1 and 855.3) in rice and wheat, respectively. The highest phytotoxic action of 5% aqueous whole plant extract of M. minuta against test crops seem to be due to the presence of two potent phenolic compounds, namely p-coumaric acid (2.91 mg L-1) and m-coumaric acid (1.59 mg L-1) as determined by HPLC analysis.