CRISPR/Cas Genome Editing Technologies for Plant Improvement against Biotic and Abiotic Stresses: Advances, Limitations, and Future Perspectives.

Crossbreeding, mutation breeding, and traditional transgenic breeding take much time to improve desirable characters/traits. CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing (GE) is a game-changing tool that can create variation in desired traits, such as biotic and abiotic resistance, increase quality and yield in less time with easy applications, high efficiency, and low cost in producing the targeted edits for rapid improvement of crop plants. Plant pathogens and the severe environment cause considerable crop losses worldwide. GE approaches have emerged and opened new doors for breeding multiple-resistance crop varieties. Here, we have summarized recent advances in CRISPR/Cas-mediated GE for resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses in a crop molecular breeding program that includes the modification and improvement of genes response to biotic stresses induced by fungus, virus, and bacterial pathogens. We also discussed in depth the application of CRISPR/Cas for abiotic stresses (herbicide, drought, heat, and cold) in plants. In addition, we discussed the limitations and future challenges faced by breeders using GE tools for crop improvement and suggested directions for future improvements in GE for agricultural applications, providing novel ideas to create super cultivars with broad resistance to biotic and abiotic stress.

Parenting practices, stressors and parental concerns during COVID-19 in Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a global crisis that has added fear, uncertainty, and stress to parents. Parents are going through several challenges related to school closure, financial insecurity and working remotely. These stressors are affecting the mental health of parents. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to observe major stressors along with the impact of COVID-19 on parental concerns and practices during lockdown. PARTICIPANTS: Sample (N = 923) was selected through purposive sampling from parents attending Out Patients Departments of hospitals in three provincial capital cities of Pakistan having a high burden of COVID-19, i.e. Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar. Parents having at least one child younger than 18 years were included in the study. METHODS: A quantitative design was used using a COVID-19 Parenting Response Scale (α = 0.74). It was used as a self-administered tool for parents who knew how to read and write Urdu/English language, however it was conducted as a structured interview for those who could not read/write. Data was analyzed by applying descriptive statistics (frequency, mean, percentage), independent sample t-test and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. RESULTS: Findings of the current study showed several stressful factors for parents during COVID-19 pandemic, mainly financial burden, children's education, uncertainty of the situation, and many others. The study also suggests an association of parental concerns during COVID-19 with parenting practices. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 pandemic presents a global crisis not only of the health of the people but also on family relations and mental well-being. Findings of this research indicate the need for targeted and accessible interventions for mental health of parents especially during these challenging circumstances so that they can cope with the challenges in an effective way and be able to take care of their children better.

Professional team response to violence against children: From experts to teamwork.

BACKGROUND: Prevention and management of violence against children requires a multidisciplinary approach. Countries and regions tackle this problem according to their understanding and capacity, and therefore these teams work differently in different countries and regions. OBJECTIVES: Current study is a bird's eye view looking at the response to violence against children through exploring multidisciplinary approaches and challenges in child protection in high, upper-middle, and lower-middle-income countries. PARTICIPANTS: Participants for this study were selected through purposive sampling from eleven countries, one key informant from each country (N = 11). METHODS: Current study is qualitative in nature and phenomenological design was used. Key informants were approached through email, and semi-structured online interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data and several themes emerged. RESULTS: Capacity building systems are established in upper-middle and high-income countries, whereas lower-income countries are struggling with these systems, the Philippines having a better structured system. The process of child protection services is mostly similar except the availability of multidisciplinary teams, which lacks in lower-middle and even in upper-middle-income countries. These teams function relatively well in high-income countries although the lead role in these teams differs from country to country. There are many challenges in managing these teams in low-middle income countries. Child protection systems are also reasonably well established in upper and upper-middle-income countries whereas gaps are visible between policies and implementation in lower-middle-income countries. CONCLUSION: It is the responsibility of each country to protect children as per their commitment to SDGs. Although the functioning of multidisciplinary teams seems better in high and upper-middle countries, the low-middle income countries are trying to combat violence against children according to their priorities, some are doing better than others.

Understanding youth participation to volunteer for child rights.

BACKGROUND: Today, Pakistan has the highest percentage of young people in its history, who can become champions of child rights through channelizing their energy. Voices for Children's Aspirations and Needs (VCAN) student society at the University of Lahore is one such student body, working to promote child rights and eliminate violence against children. OBJECTIVES: The study identifies factors contributing to young people's motivation to join VCAN student society working for children's rights and influence their participation in activities, along with attitudinal shift. The current study also attempts to find out effective mediums to engage youth in volunteering activities for the prevention of violence against children. PARTICIPANTS: Sample (N = 40) was selected through purposive sampling from the VCAN Student Society at the University of Lahore. METHOD: The data were collected through a questionnaire developed by the researchers (α = 0.86). Collected data were analyzed by finding descriptive statistics (mean, percentage and frequency) and paired samplet-test using statistics software, SPSS, version 21.0. RESULTS: Motivation for joining student society included wanting to work for the betterment of children (57.5 %) and to volunteer for the prevention of violence against children (47.5 %). There was a statistically significant difference (t=-4.16, p < .001) in the perception of participants about child rights before and after joining the society. Factors such as lack of required knowledge, unclear roles, and contrast between expected role and skillset (45.0 %, 42.5 %, and 40.0 % respectively) discouraged youth participation. 37.5 % of the participants considered WhatsApp as an extremely effective way to engage youth whereas 32.5 % reported Facebook as an extremely effective medium for the same purpose. CONCLUSION: Student societies provide a great platform for students to be active for a social cause. Educational institutions should encourage and facilitate youth participation for such causes.

Necrotizing fasciitis in an immunocompetent patient with multiple sites of involvement.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) in an immunocompetent patient with multiple sites of involvement is very rare. We describe a case of E. coli associated necrotizing fasciitis in a middle aged female with three lesions of NF on her lower limbs at the time of presentation. She was managed with broad spectrum intravenous antibiotics, radical surgical debridements with skin grafting, and aggressive supportive care.