Structure Analysis and Site-Directed Mutagenesis of the Glycosyltransferase UGT71B8 Leads to Increased Stability and Substrate Activity in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The uridine diphosphate-glycosyltransferase (UGT) family catalyses the glucuronidation of the glycosyl group of a nucleotide sugar to an acceptor compound (substrate), it serves as controlling reaction for bioactivity, storage and decrease toxicity of different compounds in living organisms. UGT71B8 belongs to 71B family of UGTs and its donor sugars are UDP glucose, UDP galactose and UDP 5S glucose, respectively. The current study was designed to induce site-directed mutagenesis (SDM) to investigate the activity in UGT71B8 enzyme.

The Antibacterial and Larvicidal Potential of Bis-(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate from .

Lactic acid bacteria produce a variety of antibacterial and larvicidal metabolites, which could be used to cure diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria and to efficiently overcome issues regarding insecticide resistance. In the current study, the antibacterial and larvicidal potential of Bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate isolated from BCH-1 has been evaluated. Bioactive compounds were extracted by ethyl acetate and were fractionated by gradient column chromatography from crude extract.

CRISPR Cas9 mediated knockout of sex determination pathway genes in .

The vector role of for viral diseases including dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever makes it imperative for its proper control. Despite various adopted control strategies, genetic control measures have been recently focused against this vector. CRISPR Cas9 system is a recent and most efficient gene editing tool to target the sex determination pathway genes in .

CRISPR/Cas9 mediated sex-ratio distortion by sex specific gene editing in .

is a principal vector for several viruses including dengue virus, chikungunya virus and zika virus. Economic burden of mosquito-borne diseases, relative failure of traditional control strategies and the resistance development against insecticides enforces towards genetic manipulation of . Hence, a key gene () which regulate sex differentiation and alternatively splices to form male and female specific transcripts ( and ).

In vitro efficacy of Azadirachta indica leaf extract against methicillin resistant Staphylococci isolated from skin infection.

In this cross-sectional study, the isolation and identification of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Methicillin Resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) was described from skin infections (n=100). Initial isolation was done by conventional procedures followed by amplification/ sequence analysis of 16S rRNA.

Furanodiene: A Novel, Potent, and Multitarget Cancer-fighting Terpenoid.

Natural products have served as a limitless reservoir of bioactive scaffolds for drug discovery against several disorders. Furanodiene is a bioactive natural product isolated from several plants of genus Curcuma. Its therapeutic potential against cancer, inflammation, and angiogenesis has been well-documented.

Ginkgetin: A natural biflavone with versatile pharmacological activities.

Natural products, being richly endowed with curative powers, have become spotlight for biomedical and pharmaceutical research to develop novel therapeutics during recent years. Ginkgetin (GK), a natural non-toxic biflavone, has been shown to exhibit anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-adipogenic, and neuroprotective activities. GK combats cancer progression by arresting cell cycle, inducing apoptosis, stimulating autophagy, and targeting many deregulated signaling pathways such as JAK/STAT and MAPKs.

Osthole: A Multifunctional Natural Compound with Potential Anticancer, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities.

Nature has always proved to be a significant reservoir of bioactive scaffolds that have been used for the discovery of drugs since times. Medicinal plants continue to be a solid niche for biologically active and therapeutically effective chemical entities, opening up new avenues for the successful treatment of several human diseases. The contribution of plant-derived compounds to drug discovery, either in their original or in the semi-synthetic derivative form, extends far back in time.

Insecticidal and Genotoxic effects of some indigenous plant extracts in Culex quinquefasciatus Say Mosquitoes.

Five different weed plants viz. Convulvulus arvensis, Chenopodium murale, Tribulus terrestris, Trianthema portulacastrum, and Achyranthes aspera were investigated for their entomocidal and genotoxic effects against Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. High mortality was observed at 72 hours in a dose dependent manner.

Insecticidal, biological and biochemical response of (Diptera: Muscidae) to some indigenous weed plant extracts.

In the current study; insecticidal, growth regulation, oviposition deterrence and repellency of petroleum ether extracts of , , and against 2nd instar larvae of housefly was investigated. Five different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%) were used through larval feeding and the mortality data was recorded after 24, 48 and 72 hrs. Highest mortality was induced by (63.

Effect of organic and in-organic chromium supplementation on growth performance and genotoxicity of .

In aquaculture industry, the aim of feed formulation is to provide the fish with feasible diet to enhance their body. Carbohydrates supplemented with chromium compounds (organic and in-organic) are major energy currencies for biological machinery of fish. Here, this article presents a description that emphasizes the effect of chromium picolinate (organic) and chromium chloride hexahydrate (in-organic) on growth execution and genotoxicity of .

Study on survival, growth, haematology and body composition of under different acute and chronic salinity regimes.

Pakistan's most of the land is less productive or no productivity at all due to erosion and salinity of the soil, which can be utilized to develop fisheries. The project, "Survival, growth and body composition of under different salinity regimes" was undertaken in two phases. In the first phase susceptibility of at four salinity levels in triplicate within 0-10 g LNaCl for 96 h in each aquarium was checked after one week acclamation at 0 g L, 2 g L and 4 g L NaCl.

Molecular identification of blaCTX-M and blaTEM genes among multi-drug resistant Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from children.

In this cross sectional study (June 2016 to June 2017), we studied the isolation and molecular characterization of multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli (MDR-E. coli) from children suffering from diarrhea. For this purpose, a total of 100 fecal samples were collected with the consent of the parents/ guardians on a prescribed form.

Efficacy of Chrozophora plicata and Trianthema portuclacastrum weed plant extracts against Trogoderma granarium Everts under laboratory conditions.

The efficacy of Chrozophora plicata and Trianthema portuclacastrum extracts was investigated against Trogoderma granarium at 10%, 20% and 30% concentrations and 2, 4 and 6 days of exposure periods. It was found that T. portuclacastrum extract caused significantly higher larval mortality (37.

A Drosophila genetic screen for suppressors of S6kinase-dependent growth identifies the F-box subunit Archipelago/FBXW7.

This study was designed to identify novel negative regulators of the Drosophila S6kinase (dS6K). S6K is a downstream effector of the growth-regulatory complex mTORC1 (mechanistic-Target-of-Rapamycin complex 1). Nutrients activate mTORC1, which in turn induces the phosphorylation of S6K to promote cell growth, whereas fasting represses mTORC1 activity.

Ameliorative effects of Moringa oleifera on copper nanoparticle induced toxicity in Cyprinus carpio assessed by histology and oxidative stress markers.

Nanoparticles (NPs) enter the environment mainly through waste water effluents, accidental spillage, and industrial runoffs. This is worrying because NPs can enter the human body owing to their large aspect-to-size ratio and reactive surfaces that facilitate their penetration through biological barriers and thus can induce oxidative stress in host cells. Therefore, there is a growing concern about the toxicity of NPs, which needs to be addressed.

Efficacy of Azadirachta indica organic extracts against clinical methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates.

In current study we investigated the efficacy of organic extracts of Azadirachta indica leaves against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clinical isolates. For this purpose fresh leaves were used to prepare ethanol, methanol and chloroform extract. Secondly, a cross sectional study was conducted to isolate MRSA in clinical samples from patients having surgical/ non-surgical wounds from Allied Hospital and District Head Quarter Hospital, Faisalabad.

Astragalin: A Bioactive Phytochemical with Potential Therapeutic Activities.

Natural products, an infinite treasure of bioactive chemical entities, persist as an inexhaustible resource for discovery of drugs. This review article intends to emphasize on one of the naturally occurring flavonoids, astragalin (kaempferol 3-glucoside), which is a bioactive constituent of various traditional medicinal plants such as . This multifaceted compound is well known for its diversified pharmacological applications such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, antiobesity, antiosteoporotic, anticancer, antiulcer, and antidiabetic properties.

Toxicity, Phytochemical Composition, and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Some Indigenous Weed Plant Extracts in Fruit Fly, .

being used as model organism is considered as pest of homes, restaurants, and fruit markets. The damaged fruits are also reported to serve as a carrier for various diseases. The current study was designed to evaluate the toxicity of petroleum extract of some weed plants, namely, , , , , and against .

: A Plant with Versatile Pharmacological and Biological Activities.

, a member of the Oleaceae family, commonly known as ash tree is found in northeast Asia, north America, east and western France, China, northern areas of Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan. Chemical constituents of plant include various secoiridoids, phenylethanoids, flavonoids, coumarins, and lignans; therefore, it is considered as a plant with versatile biological and pharmacological activities. Its tremendous range of pharmacotherapeutic properties has been well documented including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective.

Sorafenib tosylate, Ribavirn and Sofosbuvir combination therapy for HCV virus infected patients with decompensated liver cancer.

Hepatitis C is the most common health problem worldwide and is major cause of death due to proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma. The medicines available for HCV treatment overcome up-to 95% complications of HCV. However, liver cancer needs some additional care.

Genetic Analysis of Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) Markers from Dengue Outbreaks in Pakistan.

Background: Keeping in view the havoc situation of dengue fever in Pakistan, the current study was designed to demonstrate the genetic variations, gene flow and rate of migration from Lahore and Faisalabad.

Methods: The larvae were collected from both natural and artificial breeding places from each collection site. The adult mosquitoes were collected by means of sweep net and battery-operated aspirator.