Highly selective and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method for determination of cypermethrin in different environmental samples.

A sensitive, selective, and simple spectrofluorimetric method for the detection and determination of cypermethrin (CYP) in various samples based on thioglycolic acid-caped Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots (TGA@Mn-ZnS-QDs) is reported. These quantum dots were synthesized using the Gonzalez method. The synthesized quantum dots were structurally characterized with the help of different spectroscopic techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) techniques and fluorescence spectroscopy. The quantum dots were used for spectrofluorimetric detection and determination of CYP. The emission peak of these quantum dots at 632 nm showed a linear quenching with increasing the concentration of CYP, noticing an excellent linear relationship between F°/F values and CYP in the range of 0.5-12 µg mL-1 with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.992. The influence of different physiochemical parameters such as time, pH, the concentration of quantum dots, and other pesticides interference on the fluorescence quenching was investigated. The detection limit was calculated to be 0.132 µg mL-1. The developed method was successfully applied for the detection and determination of CYP in various spiked samples (tomato, okra, pea, spinach, soil, and water) using the spike and recovery methods. The percent recoveries of CYP from these samples were found to be 77 ± 0.05% to 95 ± 0.12% at various levels.

Germplasm screening of Myrtus communius Var. Italica l. for cultivar development from dir lower (Malakand Division), Pakistan

Habb-ul-Aas is a commercial drug obtained from Myrtus communis L and widely used for abdominal disorders in Pakistan. This sclerophyllous shrub is commonly found in the Lower Dir, Malakand Division, Pakistan. This plant is used as crude drug in herbal as well as pharmaceutical industry due to presence of aromatic oil obtained from various parts of the plant. Two varieties viz., italic and baetica of the plant exist in the world; however, no study reported before about the existence of this species up to the varietal level from Pakistan. The current study was undertaken to characterize the existing germplasm by using certain morphometric parameters in relation to physiognomic features. They exhibit high variability among characters, especially for characteristics useful in selecting cultivars for commercial production. Among the various ecotypes, MBT3 possessed high shoot length (29.96cm), leaf area (2.3cm), fruit volume (0.97ml) & fruit weight (0.88g) and pulp (0.87g) and therefore recommended for the cultivar development.

Characterization of a novel cotton MYB gene, GhMYB108-like responsive to abiotic stresses.

Transcriptional factors are the major regulators of plant signaling pathways in response to environmental stresses i.e., drought, salinity and cold. Hereby, the GhMYB108-like was characterized to determine whether it regulate these stresses. The GhMYB108-like cDNA consisted of 1107 base pairs (bp) with 807 open reading frame encoded a protein of 268 amino acids. Its isoelectric point and molecular weight are 5.51 and 30.3 kDa respectively. Phylogenetic analysis and online databases revealed that GhMYB108-like proteins are closely related with the Arabidopsis thaliana MYB2. Important cis-elements were detected in the promotor region of GhMYB108-like responding to stresses and phytohormones. The 3D structure of GhMYB108-like protein has been predicted. In addition, various physico-chemical properties of GhMYB108-like have been determined. Subcellular localization confirmed that GhMYB108-like are nuclear localized protein. Quantitative expression analysis showed that polyethylene glycol and salt treatments significantly induced the expression of GhMYB108-like. Overall, our findings suggest that GhMYB108-like is an important gene that would plays important regulatory role in response to drought and salt stresses.

Hepaotoprotective and nephroprotective activities of Pistacia integerrima fruit extract in paracetamol intoxicated male rabbits with effect on blood cells count.

The beneficial effects of Pistacia integerrima (PI) fruit methanol extract on some liver and kidney related parameters and blood cells count of paracetamol (PCM) intoxicated male rabbits were studied. Paracetamol intoxication caused remarkable increase in the serum ALT, AST and ALP levels. The PCM intoxicated rabbits that received PI extract orally at doses of 200 mg and 400 mg/kg b.w. /oral/day for 16 days showed significant reduction in serum ALT, AST and ALP levels (P<0.05). Liver microsections from PCM intoxicated rabbits treated with PI fruit methanol extract showed improvement in the liver histoarchitecture. The urine output of PCM intoxicated control rabbits group was significantly lower (P<0.05). The PCM intoxicated rabbits that received PI extract showed significant increase in urine output (P<0.05). The PCM intoxicated rabbits treated with PI extract also showed significant reduction in the levels of serum urea and creatinine (P<0.05). The renal creatinine clearance of PCM rabbits treated with PI extract improved significantly (P<0.05). Microsections of kidneys from PCM intoxicated rabbits treated with PI fruit methanol extract showed improvement in renal histoarchitecture. During this study, PI extract caused no improvement in the RBC count of PCM intoxicated rabbits. However, the extract caused significant increase in WBC and platelets count (P < 0.05) of PCM intoxicated rabbits. From the findings of the present research, it was concluded that oral administration of P. integerrima fruit methanol extract is beneficial for the liver and kidney related biochemical parameters and blood cells count of paracetamol intoxicated male rabbits.