Root-to-shoot signaling positively mediates source-sink relation in late growth stages in diploid and tetraploid wheat.

Non-hydraulic root source signaling (nHRS) is a unique positive response to soil drying in the regulation of plant growth and development. However, it is unclear how the nHRS mediates the tradeoff between source and sink at the late growth stages and its adaptive mechanisms in primitive wheat. To address this issue, a root-splitting design was made by inserting solid partition in the middle of the pot culture to induce the occurrence of nHRS using four wheat cultivars (MO1 and MO4, diploid; DM22 and DM31, tetraploid) as materials. Three water treatments were designed as 1) both halves watered (CK), 2) holistic root system watered then droughted (FS), 3) one-half of the root system watered and half droughted (PS). FS and PS were designed to compare the role of the full root system and split root system to induce nHRS. Leaves samples were collected during booting and anthesis to compare the role of nHRS at both growth stages. The data indicated that under PS treatment, ABA concentration was significantly higher than FS and CK, demonstrating the induction of nHRS in split root design and nHRS decreased cytokinin (ZR) levels, particularly in the PS treatment. Soluble sugar and proline accumulation were higher in the anthesis stage as compared to the booting stage. POD activity was higher at anthesis, while CAT was higher at the booting stage. Increased ABA (nHRS) correlated with source-sink relationships and metabolic rate (i.e., leaf) connecting other stress signals. Biomass density showed superior resource acquisition and utilization capabilities in both FS and PS treatment as compared to CK in all plants. Our findings indicate that nHRS-induced alterations in phytohormones and their effect on source-sink relations were allied with the growth stages in primitive wheat.

Investigation on the insecticidal activities of cyanobacterial extracts as an alternative source for the management of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The Spodoptera frugiperda is a notorious pest with a broad host range. It severely damages crops, mainly in areas of the globewhere maize and sorghum are grown. The pest is difficult to control due to its adaptive nature and resistance to several insecticides available in the market. So, an identification of the alternative strategy is the prime important in the present context. Insecticidal activities of cyanobacterial extracts were evaluated in the laboratory as a biocomponent against S. frugiperda. The crude extracts of Nostoc muscorum and Spirulina sp. were prepared by using ethanol, methanol and petroleum ether solvents. Soxhlet apparatus was used for extraction. S. frugiperda larvae in their second instar were given access to fragments of maize leaf that had been treated with various cyanobacterial extracts. The findings displayed that the petroleum ether extract of N. muscorum had the lowest LC50 value of 155.22 ppm, followed by petroleum ether extracts of Spirulina, ethanol extract of N. Muscorum, methanol extract of N. muscorum, ethanol and methanol extract of Spirulina with an LC50 values of 456.02, 710, 780, 1050 and 1070 ppm respectively. Later, the effect of LC50 values on many biological parameters like the larval duration and pupal stages, the percentage of pupation, the weight of the pupal stage, the malformation of the pupal and adult stages, adult emergence percentage, fertility and the longevity of the male and female adult stages of S. frugiperda was examined. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyse the crude extract to identify the bioactive components that were responsible for the insecticidal properties. The major compounds detected were diethyl phthalate (19.87 %), tetradecane (5.03%), hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester (4.10 %), dodecane (4.03%), octadecane (3.72%), octadecanoic acid, methyl ester (3.40 %), ethyl oleate (3.11 %), methyl ester. octadecenoic acid (3.04 %), heptadecane (3.04 %) and phytol (3.02 %). The presence of several bioactive chemicals in the cyanobacterial extracts may be the reason for their insecticidal actions, thus it can be used as an alternative and new source to combat fall armyworm and other crop pests.

Above-and below-ground feedback loop of maize is jointly enhanced by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in drier soil.

Drought is a potent abiotic stressor that arrests crop growth, significantly affecting crop health and yields. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can offer to protect plants from stressful environments through improving water, and nutrient use efficiency by strengthening plant root structure and harnessing favorable rhizosphere environments. When Acaulospora laevis (AMF) and Bacillus subtilus (PGPR) are introduced in combination, enhanced root growth and beneficial microbial colonization can mitigate drought stress. To assess this potential, a pot experiment was done with maize (Zea mays L.) to explore the effects of A. laevis and B. subtilus under different water levels (well-watered = 80 %; moderate water stress = 55 %; and severe water stress = 35 %) on maize yield, soil microbial activities, nutrients contents, root, and leaf functioning. Plants exposed to severe drought stress hampered their root and leaf functioning, and reduced grain yield compared with control plants. Combined use of AMF and PGPR increased root colonization (104.6 %-113.2 %) and microbial biomass carbon (36.38 %-40.23 %) under moderate to severe drought conditions over control. Higher root colonization was strongly linked with elevated ACC (aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) production, subsequently enhancing water use efficiency (21.62 %-12.77 %), root hydraulic conductivity (1.9 %-1.4 %) and root nutrient uptake under moderate to severe drought conditions. Enhanced nutrient uptake further promoted leaf photosynthetic rate by 27.3 %-29.8 % under moderate and severe drought stress. Improving leaf and root physiological functioning enhanced maize grain yield under stressful environments. Furthermore, co-inoculation with AMF-PGPR reduced cellular damage by lowering oxidative enzyme levels and increasing antioxidative enzyme activities, improving plant performance and grain yield under stressful environments. Conclusively, the synergistic interaction of AMF with PGPR ensured plant stress tolerance by reducing cellular injury, facilitating root-leaf functioning, enhancing nutrient-water-use-efficiencies, and increasing yield under drought stress.

Unveiling Lathyrus aphaca L. as a Newly Identified Host for Begomovirus Infection: A Comprehensive Study.

The Begomovirus genus of the family Geminiviridae comprises the largest group of geminiviruses. Begomoviruses are transmitted by the whitefly complex (Bemisia tabaci) and infect dicotyledonous plants in tropical and subtropical regions. The list of begomoviruses is continuously increasing as a result of improvements in the methods for identification, especially from weed plants, which are considered a source of new viruses and reservoirs of economically important viruses but are often neglected during diversity studies. Lathyrus aphaca L. weed plants (yellow-flowered pea) with varicose veins and discoloration of the leaves were found. Amplified genomic DNA through rolling circular amplification was subjected to PCR analysis for the detection of the viral genome and associated DNA-satellites (alphasatellites and betasatellites). A full-length sequence (2.8 kb) of a monopartite begomovirus clone was determined; however, we could not find any associated DNA satellites. The amplified full-length clone of Rose leaf curl virus (RoLCuV) reserved all the characteristics and features of an Old World (OW) monopartite begomovirus. Furthermore, it is the first time it has been reported from a new weed host, yellow-flowered pea. Rolling circle amplification and polymerase chain reaction analysis of associated DNA satellites, alphasatellite, and betasatellite, were frequently accomplished but unable to amplify from the begomovirus-infected samples, indicating the presence of only monopartite Old World begomovirus. It is observed that RoLCuV has the capability to infect different hosts individually without the assistance of any DNA satellite component. Recombination in viruses is also a source of begomovirus infection in different hosts.

Evaluation of potential inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase, pancreatic lipase, and cancer cell lines using raw leaves extracts of three fabaceae species.

The present study examined the biological potential and phytochemicals of Sophora mollis, Mucuna pruriens, and Indigofera atropurpurea methanolic leaf extracts. In vitro anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-lipase assays were performed using different concentrations of plant extracts, and the IC50 values were determined. The cytotoxic potential of the selected plant extracts was assessed against HeLa, PC3, and 3T3 cell lines using an MTT assay. S. mollis leaf extract displayed the highest inhibition percentage (114.60% ± 19.95 at 1000 µg/mL) for the anti-acetylcholinesterase activity with a prominent IC50 value of 75.9 µg/mL. The anti-lipase potential was highest with the M. pruriens leaf extract (355.5 µg/mL IC50), followed by the S. mollis extract (862.7 µg/mL IC50). Among the cell lines tested, the cytotoxic potential of the I. atropurpurea extract (91.1 ppm IC50) against the PC3 cell line was promising. High-performance liquid chromatography revealed gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, rutin trihydrate, and quercetin dihydrate in varying concentrations in all plant species. The concentration of chlorogenic acid (69.09 ppm) was highest in M. pruriens, and the caffeic acid concentration (45.20 ppm) was higher in S. mollis. This paper reports the presence of bioactive therapeutic compounds in selected species of the Fabaceae family that could be micro-propagated, isolated, and utilized in pharmaceutical industries.

Biological Characterization of Polystichum lonchitis L. for Phytochemical and Pharmacological Activities in Swiss Albino Mice Model.

Polystichum lonchitis L. is a fern belonging to the family Dryopteridaceae. The present study was conducted to evaluate its pharmacological, antioxidant, and phytochemical properties, and to conduct GC-MS screening of P. lonchitis. The acetic acid-induced writhing test, yeast-induced hyperpyrexia method, carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model, and charcoal meal test model were carried out to assess analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic activity, respectively. DPPH was used as an antioxidant, while the phytochemical screening was conducted using standard scientific methods. Among the pharmacological activities, the most significant effects were observed in the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, followed by the antipyretic and antispasmodic activities, at a dose of 450 mg/kg after the 4th hour, compared with 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg. For the evaluation of antioxidant activities, the most significant results were detected in the methanolic and aqueous extracts. The detection of flavonoids and phenol occurred most significantly in the methanolic extract, and then in the ethanolic and aqueous extracts. The main compounds detected using GC-MS analysis with a high metabolic rate was 𝛼-D-Galactopyranoside, which had a metabolic rate of 0.851, and methyl and n-hexadecanoic, which had a metabolic rate of 0.972. Overall, the results suggested that P. lonchitis had a strong potential for pharmacological activities. The suggested assessment provided a way to isolate the bioactive constituents and will help to provide new medicines with fewer side effects. Due to the fern's effectiveness against various diseases, the results provide clear evidence that they also have the potential to cure various diseases.

Foliar epidermal anatomical characteristics of Apiaceae species endemic to Ulleungdo and Dokdo Islands, Republic of Korea.

The foliar epidermal anatomical characteristics of the two endemic Apiaceae species of Korea Bupleurum latissimum Nakai and Dystaenia takesimana (Nakai) Kitag. were investigated. The taxonomically important characteristics of these two species were identified and described to help understand their classical taxonomy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the anatomical characteristics of the studied species in detail. The comparative foliar epidermal anatomical characteristics were observed in the present research for the two-endemic species. Some of the most important foliar epidermal anatomical characteristics were observed to distinguish them, including the epidermal cell shape and size, stomata type, and trichomes shape and size. SEM provided sufficient evidence to distinguish the study species. The foliar epidermal anatomical characteristics provide sufficient information to differentiate these two species from their closely related taxa. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Apiaceae species endemic to Ulleungdo and Dokdo Islands exhibit unique foliar epidermal anatomical characteristics that can be used for taxonomic identification and classification. This study contributes to the documentation of the plant diversity of Ulleungdo and Dokdo Islands, and highlights the need for further research on the biogeography and conservation of these endemic plant species.

Thickness effects of polyethylene and biodegradable film residuals on soil properties and dryland maize productivity.

Plastic film residuals are increasingly remaining in cultivated lands. However, it is a critical issue how residual plastic type and thickness affect soil properties and crop yield. To address this issue, in situ landfill was conducted using thick polyethylene (PEt1), thin polyethylene (PEt2), thick biodegradable (BIOt1), thin biodegradable (BIOt2) residues, and CK (control) with no residues landfill in a semiarid maize field. The findings demonstrated that the impact of various treatments on soil characteristics and maize yield varied considerably. Soil water content decreased by 24.82% in PEt1 and 25.43% in PEt2, compared to BIOt1 and BIOt2, respectively. BIOt2 treatment increased soil bulk density by 1.31 g cm-3 and lowered soil porosity by 51.11%, respectively; it also elevated the silt/clay proportion by 49.42% relative to CK. In contrast, microaggregate composition in PEt2 was higher (43.02%). Moreover, BIOt2 lowered soil nitrate (NO3-) and ammonium (NH4+) content. Compared with other treatments, BIOt2 resulted in significantly higher soil total nitrogen (STN) and lower SOC/STN. Finally, BIOt2 exhibited the lowest water use efficiency (WUE) (20.57 kg ha-1 mm-1) and yield (6896 kg ha-1) among all the treatments. Therefore, BIO film residues exhibited detrimental impacts on soil quality and maize productivity compared to PE film ones. Considering film thickness, thin residual films more evidently influenced soil quality and maize productivity than thick film ones.

The Key Roles of ROS and RNS as a Signaling Molecule in Plant-Microbe Interactions.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) play a pivotal role in the dynamic cell signaling systems in plants, even under biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Over the past two decades, various studies have endorsed the notion that these molecules can act as intracellular and intercellular signaling molecules at a very low concentration to control plant growth and development, symbiotic association, and defense mechanisms in response to biotic and abiotic stress conditions. However, the upsurge of ROS and RNS under stressful conditions can lead to cell damage, retarded growth, and delayed development of plants. As signaling molecules, ROS and RNS have gained great attention from plant scientists and have been studied under different developmental stages of plants. However, the role of RNS and RNS signaling in plant-microbe interactions is still unknown. Different organelles of plant cells contain the enzymes necessary for the formation of ROS and RNS as well as their scavengers, and the spatial and temporal positions of these enzymes determine the signaling pathways. In the present review, we aimed to report the production of ROS and RNS, their role as signaling molecules during plant-microbe interactions, and the antioxidant system as a balancing system in the synthesis and elimination of these species.

Molecular Characterization of Bacterial Isolates from Soil Samples and Evaluation of their Antibacterial Potential against MDRS.

Some soil microbes, with their diverse inhabitance, biologically active metabolites, and endospore formation, gave them characteristic predominance and recognition among other microbial communities. The present study collected ten soil samples from green land, agricultural and marshy soil sites of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. After culturing on described media, the bacterial isolates were identified through phenotypic, biochemical and phylogenetic analysis. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed three bacterial isolates, A6S7, A1S6, and A1S10, showing 99% nucleotides sequence similarity with Brevibacillus formosus, Bacillus Subtilis and Paenibacillus dendritiformis. The crude extract was prepared from bacterial isolates to assess the anti-bacterial potential against various targeted multidrug-resistant strains (MDRS), including Acinetobacter baumannii (ATCC 19606), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (BAA-1683), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 13883), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (BAA-2108), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 292013), Escherichia coli (ATCC25922) and Salmonella typhi (ATCC 14028). Our analysis revealed that all bacterial extracts possess activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria at a concentration of 5 mg/mL, efficiently restricting the growth of E. coli compared with positive control ciprofloxacin. The study concluded that the identified species have the potential to produce antimicrobial compounds which can be used to control different microbial infections, especially MDRS. Moreover, the analysis of the bacterial extracts through GC-MS indicated the presence of different antimicrobial compounds such as propanoic acid, oxalic acid, phenol and hexadecanoic acid.

Mentha: Nutritional and Health Attributes to Treat Various Ailments Including Cardiovascular Diseases.

A poor diet, resulting in malnutrition, is a critical challenge that leads to a variety of metabolic disorders, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Mentha species are famous as therapeutic herbs and have long served as herbal medicine. Recently, the demand for its products, such as herbal drugs, medicines, and natural herbal formulations, has increased significantly. However, the available literature lacks a thorough overview of Mentha phytochemicals' effects for reducing malnutritional risks against cardiovascular diseases. In this context, we aimed to review the recent advances of Mentha phytochemicals and future challenges for reducing malnutritional risks in cardiovascular patients. Current studies indicated that Mentha species phytochemicals possess unique antimicrobial, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, and antioxidant potential, which can be used as herbal medicine directly or indirectly (such as food ingredients) and are effective in controlling and curing cardiovascular diseases. The presence of aromatic and flavor compounds of Mentha species greatly enhance the nutritional values of the food. Further interdisciplinary investigations are pivotal to explore main volatile compounds, synergistic actions of phytochemicals, organoleptic effects, and stability of Mentha sp. phytochemicals.

Melatonin Function and Crosstalk with Other Phytohormones under Normal and Stressful Conditions.

Melatonin was discovered in plants in the late nineties, but its role, signaling, and crosstalk with other phytohormones remain unknown. Research on melatonin in plants has risen dramatically in recent years and the role of this putative plant hormone under biotic and abiotic stress conditions has been reported. In the present review, we discuss the main functions of melatonin in the growth and development of plants, its role under abiotic stresses, such as water stress (waterlogging and drought), extreme temperature (low and high), salinity, heavy metal, and light-induced stress. Similarly, we also discuss the role of melatonin under biotic stresses (antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal effects). Moreover, the present review meticulously discusses the crosstalk of melatonin with other phytohormones such as auxins, gibberellic acids, cytokinins, ethylene, and salicylic acid under normal and stressful conditions and reports melatonin receptors and signaling in plants. All these aspects of melatonin suggest that phytomelatonin is a key player in crop improvement and biotic and abiotic stress regulation.

Biodiesel Production Using Wild Apricot (Prunus aitchisonii) Seed Oil via Heterogeneous Catalysts.

We confined the formation and characterization of heterogenous nano-catalysts and then used them to produce biodiesel from the novel non-edible seed oil of Prunus aitchisonii. P. aitchisonii seeds' oil content was extracted at about 52.4 ± 3% with 0.77% FFA. Three different heterogenous nano-catalysts-calcined (CPC), KPC, and KOH-activated P. aitchisonii cake Titanium Dioxide (TiO2)-were synthesized using calcination and precipitation methods. The mentioned catalysts were characterized through XRD, SEM, and EDX to inspect their crystallin dimension, shape, and arrangement. Titanium dioxide has morphological dimensions so that the average particle size ranges from 49-60 nm. The result shows that the crystal structure of TiO2 is tetragonal (Anatase). The surface morphology of CPC illustrated that the roughness of the surface was increased after calcination, many macropores and hollow cavities appeared, and the external structure became very porous. These changes in morphology may increase the catalytic efficiency of CPC than non-calcined Prunus aitchisonii oil cake. The fuel belonging to PAOB stood according to the series suggested by ASTM criteria. All the characterization reports that P. aitchisonii is a novel and efficient potential source of biodiesel as a green energy source.

Foliar micromorphology of selected medicinal Lamiaceae taxa and their taxonomic implication using scanning electron microscopy.

In this research, 25 medicinally used Lamiaceae species belonging to 20 genera have been studied and identified for the nine disorders. We used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for qualitative and quantitative morphological character identification. The micromorphological characters observed here were important for distinguishing the studied taxa. The highest medicinal values were reported for Vitex negundo and Scutellaria baicalensis for all considered categories except urinary and otorhinolaryngology disorders. The foliar epidermal anatomical characteristics revealed that the micromorphological features of the Lamiaceae species provide taxonomically significant and accurate identification information to delimitate the family species. Moreover, we focused on both qualitative (epidermal cell shape, stomata type, stomatal pore shape, subsidiary cell shape, glandular trichomes, and non-glandular trichome shape) as well as quantitative features (epidermal cell size, stomata size, stomatal pore size, subsidiary cell size, and trichomes size). The trichomes diversity was different in most species' on adaxial and abaxial surfaces. In most species, anomocytic stomata were observed, but other types such as diacytic, paracytic, and tetracytic type stomata were also examined. The diverse pattern of anatomical characters suggests that the studied taxa provide insight evidence for the taxonomic observation of the Traditional Chinese Medicinal plants from the Lamiaceae. This work sets an avenue for future research and taxonomic exploration of medicinal flora through microscopic investigations. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: This research offers a thorough microscopic identification of the family Lamiaceae. Taxonomic information on the trichome characters and types for the accurate authentication. Qualitative and quantitative characterization of 25 medicinally used Lamiaceae taxa.

Micromorphological characters variation of lemma and palea in subtribe of Loliinae (Poaceae).

The subtribe Loliinae is one of the largest subtribes of Poeae with about 600 species. Festuca is a large genus with close relations to other genera as Lolium, Castellia, and Vulpia. The taxonomic history of the Festuca-Lolium species group is very complicated. The polyploidy and hybridization make it more confusing. Due to the morphological similarities between genera identification is very difficult, the aim of the present study is to provide the taxonomic characters for the delimitation of the taxa of subtribe Loliinae. We used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques for the evaluation of the lemma and palea surface micromorphology for 33 species of this subtribe. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to show the species groupings. Factor analysis based on the principal component analysis showed the diagnostic importance of each of the characters. The lemma and palea epidermal patterns of Castellia, Festuca, and Lolium were examined, and results revealed that Lolium and Vulpia sensu lato species made separate groups nested in the Festuca clusters. The length of the long cell of the lemma, prickle in the lemma and palea, the wall shape of long cells of the lemma, wax type, silica bodies of lemma and palea, and the short cells in palea were important diagnostic characters for the species studied. The measured and evaluated set of lemma and palea micromorphological features was unable to provide the delimitation of the Festuca genus as subgeneric or sectional level. Present observations illustrated a heterogeneous assemblage as Festuca that needs further study for delimitation.

Radon concentration and potential risks assessment through hot springs water consumption in the Gilgit and Chitral, Northern Pakistan.

This study investigated the concentration of radon (222Rn) in hot springs water. For this purpose, 222Rn concentration was measured using the RAD7 (Durridge Company, USA) in the water of hot springs located in Tata Pani, Gilgit (n = 4), and Garam Chashma, Chitral (n = 6), northern Pakistan. Water samples from the springs (background, n = 3) were also collected and analyzed for 222Rn concentration 40-50 km away from the hot springs in Gilgit and Chitral, northern Pakistan, to be used as background/reference concentration. The determined 222Rn in hot springs water surpassed the threshold of maximum contamination level (MCL, 11.1 Bq/L) set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) in 100% samples collected from Tata Pani, Gilgit, and Garam Chashma, Chitral sites. Soil 222Rn along with the hot springs exhibited a decreasing trend with increasing distance. 222Rn concentration in hot springs water was used to calculate the exposure doses of human health through ingestion and inhalation pathways. The total effective dose for human (EWT) of 222Rn contaminated water consumption was 626 µSv/a in the Tata Pani, Gilgit and 34.7 µSv/a in the Garam Chashma, Chitral. Results revealed that hot springs water in the Tata Pani, Gilgit had surpassed the threshold limit (100 µSv/a) set by the World Health Organization (WHO). This study concluded that hot springs water should be avoided for drinking and other domestic uses.

Pollen morphology of the genus Sophora (Fabaceae) and its taxonomic implications.

The genus Sophora (Fabaceae) is one of the taxonomically challenging genera with high economic and medical values. In this study, the pollen morphology of 43 samples of 27 species, 4 subspecies, and 4 varieties of the genus Sophora and 3 closely related genera was examined using scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the pollen diversity of the genus and its taxonomic significance. Pollen grains of the studied species were tricolporate (rarely six-aperture), and pollen shape varied from suboblate, spheroidal, subprolate to prolate. Echinate external ornamentation was reported for the first time in some species of the genus. Aperture membrane ornamentation and outline in a polar/equatorial view were described for the first time in the genus. Principal component analysis was used to understand the relationship and discrimination between the species and the genera, with six components accounting for 79.92% of the total variance. Taxonomic keys based on pollen morphology were also constructed to easily identify the taxa of the genus through palynological characteristics. Results showed that pollen morphology alone is not sufficient to elucidate or reconstruct taxonomic relationships within the genus Sophora, but palynological assessments can provide some useful information for identifying taxonomically problematic taxa.

Review-Insights into Off-Label therapeutic strategies against mild and severe COVID-19 infection.

Currently, prevention and control of the coronavirus disease pneumonia epidemic situation are grim globally. To cope with total sheer carriers and patients of COVID-19 requires intensive medical support and adjunctive therapies to overcome the disease. The epidemic can be controlled with the help of both, disease suppression via community health measures and adjunctive therapies for patients suffering from infection. Till date, we do not have any proper anti-COVID-19 therapy. In order to achieve the overall realization of this pandemic, there is a need to identify treatments depending upon their direct or indirect targets; like inhibition of polyprotein synthesis, transmembrane serine protease, inhibition of viral entry and endocytosis. This could be possible by turning the focus in the direction towards the development of numerous tentative drugs, particularly in the severe to badly ill. Though, majority of these off-label adjunctive medicines are being inspected in a lot of clinical trials at different stages, scientific organizations have endeavored to elucidate the situation where these adjunctive drugs might be practiced as off-label, open- label or compassionate. Our review compiles the adjunctive therapies adopted in COVID-19 infected patients according to clinical severity in conjugation with practicing recommendations from existing guidance rules issued by global professional bodies in healthcare.

Comparative taxonomic variation in fruits and seeds' surface morphology among populations of alpine Rosa sericea complex (Rosaceae).

In this research, the fruits and seeds' surface morphological features and their taxonomic significance were determined. Additionally, useful traits for delimitation of taxa of Rosa sericea complex were studied. In this research, three taxa of the complex R. sericea, R. omeiensis, and R. sikangensis have been studied. A total of 41 populations and 130 specimens of seeds, and 35 populations and 168 specimens of fruits from 10 different geographical regions of southwest China have been examined. The surface micro-morphological characters of the seeds have been studied through scanning electron microscopy to distinguish important characteristics of the complex taxa. Forty-four different qualitative and quantitative characteristics were observed. Principal component analysis was used to simplify and elucidate the relationship between the studied characters of different population based on the morphology of fruits and seeds' features. Moreover, the numerical taxonomic characters and their variation with elevation have been studied in these species. The most interesting characters observed on the surface of the seeds were stomata, and trichomes, for which density was more at the dorsal and ventral parts, while rarely present on the lateral parts. The fruits and seeds' surface morphology of the studied species was complicated and some variation in the characters, that is, persistent calyx shape, the shape of fruits and seeds, stomata shape, and trichomes size were found significant for delimitation of taxa in the complex. The purpose of this study is to identify the taxa of R. sericea complex based on fruits and seeds' morphological characters, and identification keys.

Palynological characteristics of selected Lamioideae taxa and its taxonomic significance.

Lamioideae comprised the second-largest subfamily in Lamiaceae. Although considerable progress has recently been made in the taxonomic study of Lamioideae, the subfamily remains one of the most poorly investigated subfamily in Lamiaceae. Therefore, the present study was designed with the aim to document the pollen micromorphology of some selected Lamioideae taxa and its taxonomic significance from Pakistan. Pollen micromorphological features were observed using scanning electron microscopy. The pollen grains are monad, tricolpate, radially/bilateral symmetrical. The pollen grains were small to medium-sized having oblate, oblate/subspheroidal, and subspheroidal shape. Exine sculpturing was observed as reticulate, microreticulate, and bireticulate. The colpus surface ornamentation was found as verrucate, gemmate, scabrate, and psilate. There was a considerable variation between the species in the micromorphology, that is, the coarseness of the reticulum, thickness of the muri comprising the reticulum and the number of secondary lumina per primary lumen. Hence, this study documented the pollen morphology of some selected taxa of the subfamily Lamioideae from Pakistan and strengthens the taxonomic identification of subfamily based on pollen characters, which helps in the correct identification, discrimination of the species of Lamioideae at generic and species level.