Displaying publications 21 - 33 of 33 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Fulltext Combined application of zinc and silicon alleviates terminal drought stress in wheat by triggering morpho-physiological and antioxidants defense mechanisms
    Sattar A, Wang X, Abbas T, Sher A, Ijaz M, Ul-Allah S, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(10):e0256984.
    PMID: 34618822 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256984
    Wheat is an important global staple food crop; however, its productivity is severely hampered by changing climate. Erratic rain patterns cause terminal drought stress, which affect reproductive development and crop yield. This study investigates the potential and zinc (Zn) and silicon (Si) to ameliorate terminal drought stress in wheat and associated mechanisms. Two different drought stress levels, i.e., control [80% water holding capacity (WHC) was maintained] and terminal drought stress (40% WHC maintained from BBCH growth stage 49 to 83) combined with five foliar-applied Zn-Si combinations (i.e., control, water spray, 4 mM Zn, 40 mM Si, 4 mM Zn + 40 mM Si applied 7 days after the initiation of drought stress). Results revealed that application of Zn and Si improved chlorophyll and relative water contents under well-watered conditions and terminal drought stress. Foliar application of Si and Zn had significant effect on antioxidant defense mechanism, proline and soluble protein, which showed that application of Si and Zn ameliorated the effects of terminal drought stress mainly by regulating antioxidant defense mechanism, and production of proline and soluble proteins. Combined application of Zn and Si resulted in the highest improvement in growth and antioxidant defense. The application of Zn and Si improved yield and related traits, both under well-watered conditions and terminal drought stress. The highest yield and related traits were recorded for combined application of Zn and Si. For grain and biological yield differences among sole and combined Zn-Si application were statistically non-significant (p>0.05). In conclusion, combined application of Zn-Si ameliorated the adverse effects of terminal drought stress by improving yield through regulating antioxidant mechanism and production of proline and soluble proteins. Results provide valuable insights for further cross talk between Zn-Si regulatory pathways to enhance grain biofortification.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/metabolism
  2. Fulltext Physiological and biochemical responses of Kinnow mandarin grafted on diploid and tetraploid Volkamer lemon rootstocks under different water-deficit regimes
    Khalid MF, Hussain S, Anjum MA, Morillon R, Ahmad S, Ejaz S, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(4):e0247558.
    PMID: 33831006 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247558
    Water shortage is among the major abiotic stresses that restrict growth and productivity of citrus. The existing literature indicates that tetraploid rootstocks had better water-deficit tolerance than corresponding diploids. However, the associated tolerance mechanisms such as antioxidant defence and nutrient uptake are less explored. Therefore, we evaluated physiological and biochemical responses (antioxidant defence, osmotic adjustments and nutrient uptake) of diploid (2x) and tetraploid (4x) volkamer lemon (VM) rootstocks grafted with kinnow mandarin (KM) under two water-deficit regimes. The KM/4xVM (VM4) and KM/2xVM (VM2) observed decrease in photosynthetic variables, i.e., photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), leaf greenness (SPAD), dark adopted chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), dark adopted chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv´/Fm´), relative water contents (RWC) and leaf surface area (LSA), and increase in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) under both water-deficit regimes. Moreover, oxidative stress indicators, i.e., malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide, and activities of antioxidant enzymes, i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APx), glutathione reductase (GR) were increased under both water-deficit regimes. Nonetheless, increase was noted in osmoprotectants such as proline (PRO) and glycine betaine (GB) and other biochemical compounds, including antioxidant capacity (AC), total phenolic content (TPC) and total soluble protein (TSP) in VM2 and VM4 under both water-deficit regimes. Dry biomass (DB) of both rootstocks was decreased under each water-deficit condition. Interestingly, VM4 showed higher and significant increase in antioxidant enzymes, osmoprotectants and other biochemical compounds, while VM2 exhibited higher values for oxidative stress indicators. Overall, results indicated that VM4 better tolerated water-deficit stress by maintaining photosynthetic variables associated with strong antioxidant defence machinery as compared to VM2. However, nutrient uptake was not differed among tested water-deficit conditions and rootstocks. The results conclude that VM4 can better tolerate water-deficit than VM2. Therefore, VM4 can be used as rootstock in areas of high-water deficiency for better citrus productivity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/metabolism
  3. Role of norepinephrine & angiotensin II in the neural control of renal sodium & water handling in spontaneously hypertensive rats
    Salman IM, Sattar MA, Ameer OZ, Abdullah NA, Yam MF, Salman HM, et al.
    Indian J Med Res, 2010 Jun;131:786-92.
    PMID: 20571167
    A wealth of information concerning the essential role of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in the regulation of renal function and mean arterial blood pressure homeostasis has been established. However, many important parameters with which RSNA interacts are yet to be explicitly characterized. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the impact of acute renal denervation (ARD) on sodium and water excretory responses to intravenous (iv) infusions of either norepinephrine (NE) or angiotensin II (Ang II) in anaesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/metabolism*
  4. Effects of supplementation with mature coconut water on oxidative stress, semen quality, reproductive hormone levels, and sexual behavior in Boer bucks
    Mohd-Zainurian NFN, Esah HD, Mohamad-Fauzi N, Hashim NH, Mazlishah MSH, Shamsuddin SAA, et al.
    Anim Sci J, 2024;95(1):e70005.
    PMID: 39552140 DOI: 10.1111/asj.70005
    Mature coconut water (MCW) has been demonstrated to contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. In vivo research showed that MCW supplementation increased semen quality in rats, suggesting that it may boost reproductive performance. This study investigated the impact of MCW on the reproduction of Boer bucks. Two groups of 12 sexually mature bucks were given either plain water (control) or MCW at 5 mL/kg of body weight daily for 60 days. Sexual behaviors were studied using the focal observation technique, whereas semen was collected for quality assessment. Oxidative stress markers, namely, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH), along with reproductive hormones, specifically luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone, were quantified in blood serum samples via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The oxidative stress analysis showed elevated GSH and reduced MDA levels, accompanied by enhanced sperm quality, including superior motility, concentration, viability, and fewer morphological abnormalities (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/metabolism
  5. Formulation variables affecting drug release from xanthan gum matrices at laboratory scale and pilot scale
    Billa N, Yuen KH
    AAPS PharmSciTech, 2000;1(4):E30.
    PMID: 14727895
    The purpose of this research was to study processing variables at the laboratory and pilot scales that can affect hydration rates of xanthan gum matrices containing diclofenac sodium and the rate of drug release. Tablets from the laboratory scale and pilot scale proceedings were made by wet granulation. Swelling indices of xanthan gum formulations prepared with different amounts of water were measured in water under a magnifying lens. Granules were thermally treated in an oven at 60 degrees C, 70 degrees C, and 80 degrees C to study the effects of elevated temperatures on drug release from xanthan gum matrices. Granules from the pilot scale formulations were bulkier compared to their laboratory scale counterparts, resulting in more porous, softer tablets. Drug release was linear from xanthan gum matrices prepared at the laboratory scale and pilot scales; however, release was faster from the pilot scales. Thermal treatment of the granules did not affect the swelling index and rate of drug release from tablets in both the pilot and laboratory scale proceedings. On the other hand, the release from both proceedings was affected by the amount of water used for granulation and the speed of the impeller during granulation. The data suggest that processing variables that affect the degree of wetness during granulation, such as increase in impeller speed and increase in amount of water used for granulation, also may affect the swelling index of xanthan gum matrices and therefore the rate of drug release.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/metabolism
  6. Mechanistic investigation of phytochemicals involved in green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using aqueous Elaeis guineensis leaves extract: Role of phenolic compounds and flavonoids
    Ahmad T, Bustam MA, Irfan M, Moniruzzaman M, Asghar HMA, Bhattacharjee S
    Biotechnol Appl Biochem, 2019 Jul;66(4):698-708.
    PMID: 31172593 DOI: 10.1002/bab.1787
    Phytosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has achieved an indispensable significance due to the diverse roles played by biomolecules in directing the physiochemical characteristics of biosynthesized nanoparticles. Therefore, the precise identification of key bioactive compounds involved in producing AuNPs is vital to control their tunable characteristics for potential applications. Herein, qualitative and quantitative determination of key biocompounds contributing to the formation of AuNPs using aqueous Elaeis guineensis leaves extract is reported. Moreover, roles of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in reduction of Au3+ and stabilization of AuNPs have been elucidated by establishing a reaction mechanism. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed shifting of O─H stretching vibrations toward longer wavenumbers and C═O toward shorter wavenumbers due to involvement of polyphenolic compounds in biosynthesis and oxidation of polyphenolic into carboxylic compounds, respectively, which cape nanoparticles to inhibit the aggregation. Congruently, pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed the major contribution of polyphenolic compounds in the synthesis of AuNPs, which was further endorsed by reduction of total phenolic and total flavonoids contents from 48.08 ± 1.98 to 9.59 ± 0.92 mg GAE/g and 32.02 ± 1.31 to 13.8 ± 0.97 mg CE/g within 60 Min, respectively. Based on experimental results, reaction mechanism explained the roles of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in producing spherical-shaped AuNPs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/metabolism
  7. Fulltext Conservation tillage improves productivity of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) under reduced irrigation on sandy loam soil
    Sher A, Arfat MY, Ul-Allah S, Sattar A, Ijaz M, Manaf A, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(12):e0260673.
    PMID: 34932582 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260673
    Sunflower production is significantly lower in arid and semi-arid regions due to various crop management problem. Conservation of tillage provides the most excellent opportunity to reduce degradation of soil reserves and increase soil productivity. The main objective of this study was to investigate the combined effects of conservation tillage and drought stress on growth and productivity of different sunflower hybrids. Experimental treatments included two sunflower hybrids ('NK-Senji' and 'S-278'), two drought stress treatments (i.e., well-watered and drought stress at flowering and grain filling stages) and three tillage practices (i.e., conservation, minimum and deep tillage). The results indicated that morphological and physiological parameters, and yield-related traits were significantly (P≤0.05) affected by all individual factors; however, their interactive effects were non-significant. Among sunflower hybrids, 'NK-Senji' performed better for morphological, physiological, and yield-related traits than 'S-278'. Similarly, conservation tillage observed better traits compared to the rest of the tillage practices included in the study. Nonetheless, conservation tillage improved growth and yield-related traits of hybrid 'NK-Senji' under drought stress. Hence, it is concluded that conservation tillage can improve the productivity of sunflower under low moisture availability. Therefore, conservation tillage could be suggested in the areas of lower water ability to improve sunflower production. Nonetheless, sunflower hybrids or varieties need thorough testing for their adaptability to conservation tillage and low moisture availability before making recommendations.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/metabolism
  8. Level of chemical and microbiological contaminations in chili bo (paste)
    Zaini NA, Harith HH, Olusesan AT, Zulkifli AH, Bakar FA, Osman A, et al.
    J Food Prot, 2010 Mar;73(3):541-6.
    PMID: 20202342
    The objective of this study was to determine the level of preservatives and microbiological loads in various brands of commercially available chili bo (paste). Fifteen different brands of chili bo obtained from the local market and hypermarkets were analyzed for pH, moisture and benzoic acid content, microbiological loads (aerobic, anaerobic, aerobic spores, and fungi), and thermophilic microorganisms. Results showed that both moisture content and pH vary among samples. The concentrations of benzoic acid detected in chili bo were found to be in the range of 537 to 5,435 mg/kg. Nine of fifteen brands were found to exceed the maximum level permitted by the Malaysian Food Law in accordance with the Codex Alimentarius (1,000 mg/kg for benzoic acid). An apparent correlation between benzoic acid concentration and microbiological loads present in the chili bo was observed. The microbiological loads were found to be relatively low in the end products containing high amounts of benzoic acid. The heat-resistant (70 to 80 degrees C) microorganisms present in chili bo were identified as Ochrobacterum tritici, Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, Microbacterium maritypicum, Roseomonas spp., CDC group II-E subgroup A, Flavimonas oryzihabitans, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with M. maritypicum being the most frequently found (in 9 of 15 samples) microorganism. Most of these identified microorganisms were not known to cause foodborne illnesses.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/metabolism
  9. Fulltext Thermodynamic and spectroscopic investigation of interactions between reactive red 223 and reactive orange 122 anionic dyes and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) cationic surfactant in aqueous solution
    Irfan M, Usman M, Mansha A, Rasool N, Ibrahim M, Rana UA, et al.
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:540975.
    PMID: 25243216 DOI: 10.1155/2014/540975
    The present study describes the conductometric and spectroscopic study of the interaction of reactive anionic dyes, namely, reactive red 223 and reactive orange 122 with the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). In a systematic investigation, the electrical conductivity data was used to calculate various thermodynamic parameters such as free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH), and the entropy (ΔS) of solubilization. The trend of change in these thermodynamic quantities indicates toward the entropy driven solubilization process. Moreover, the results from spectroscopic data reveal high degree of solubilization, with strong interactions observed in the cases of both dyes and the CTAB. The spontaneous nature of solubilization and binding was evident from the observed negative values of free energies (ΔG p and ΔG b).
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/metabolism
  10. Antibacterial activity and mechanical properties of partially hydrolyzed sago starch-alginate edible film containing lemongrass oil
    Maizura M, Fazilah A, Norziah MH, Karim AA
    J Food Sci, 2007 Aug;72(6):C324-30.
    PMID: 17995673
    Edible films were prepared from a mixture of partially hydrolyzed sago starch and alginate (SA). Lemongrass oil (0.1% to 0.4%, v/w) and glycerol (0% and 20%, w/w) were incorporated in the films to act as natural antimicrobial agent and plasticizer, respectively. The films were characterized for antimicrobial activity, water vapor permeability (WVP), tensile strength (TS), percent elongation at break (%E), and water solubility (WS). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was conducted to determine functional group interactions between the matrix and lemongrass oil. The zone of inhibition was increased significantly (P < 0.05) by addition of lemongrass oil at all levels in the presence and the absence of glycerol. This indicates that the film containing lemongrass oil was effective against Escherichia coli O157:H7 at all levels. In the absence of glycerol, the tensile strength of film decreased as the oil content increased, but there was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in percent elongation. The percent elongation at break and WVP values for film with 20% glycerol was found to be increased significantly (P < 0.05) with an increase in lemongrass oil content. Addition of lemongrass oil did not have any interaction with the functional groups of films as measured by FTIR.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/metabolism
  11. Fulltext Catecholaminergic neurons in the comissural region of the nucleus of the solitary tract modulate hyperosmolality-induced responses
    Freiria-Oliveira AH, Blanch GT, Pedrino GR, Cravo SL, Murphy D, Menani JV, et al.
    Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol, 2015 Nov 01;309(9):R1082-91.
    PMID: 26333788 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00432.2014
    Noradrenergic A2 neurons of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) have been suggested to contribute to body fluid homeostasis and cardiovascular regulation. In the present study, we investigated the effects of lesions of A2 neurons of the commissural NTS (cNTS) on the c-Fos expression in neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei, arterial pressure, water intake, and urinary excretion in rats with plasma hyperosmolality produced by intragastric 2 M NaCl (2 ml/rat). Male Holtzman rats (280-320 g) received an injection of anti-dopamine-β-hydroxylase-saporin (12.6 ng/60 nl; cNTS/A2-lesion, n = 28) or immunoglobulin G (IgG)-saporin (12.6 ng/60 nl; sham, n = 24) into the cNTS. The cNTS/A2 lesions increased the number of neurons expressing c-Fos in the magnocellular PVN in rats treated with hypertonic NaCl (90 ± 13, vs. sham: 47 ± 20; n = 4), without changing the number of neurons expressing c-Fos in the parvocellular PVN or in the SON. Contrary to sham rats, intragastric 2 M NaCl also increased arterial pressure in cNTS/A2-lesioned rats (16 ± 3, vs. sham: 2 ± 2 mmHg 60 min after the intragastric load; n = 9), an effect blocked by the pretreatment with the vasopressin antagonist Manning compound (0 ± 3 mmHg; n = 10). In addition, cNTS/A2 lesions enhanced hyperosmolality-induced water intake (10.5 ± 1.4, vs. sham: 7.7 ± 0.8 ml/60 min; n = 8-10), without changing renal responses to hyperosmolality. The results suggest that inhibitory mechanisms dependent on cNTS/A2 neurons reduce water intake and vasopressin-dependent pressor response to an acute increase in plasma osmolality.
    Matched MeSH terms: Body Water/metabolism*
  12. Comparison of transepidermal water loss and skin hydration in diabetics and nondiabetics
    Lai CCK, Md Nor N, Kamaruddin NA, Jamil A, Safian N
    Clin Exp Dermatol, 2021 Jan;46(1):58-64.
    PMID: 32619023 DOI: 10.1111/ced.14363
    BACKGROUND: Pruritus is common in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), and may lead to complex dermatological conditions if left untreated. Pruritus can be caused by increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced skin hydration.

    AIMS: To compare TEWL and skin hydration in patients with DM and controls, and to investigate associations between TEWL and skin hydration with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood sugar (FBS), treatment, peripheral neuropathy (PN) and age in patients with diabetes.

    METHODS: This was a prospective, case-control study carried out at a tertiary medical centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. TEWL and skin hydration measurements were taken at six different body sites in both groups.

    RESULTS: In total, 146 patients (73 cases, 73 controls) were included (24 men and 49 women in each group). No significant difference in TEWL or skin hydration was seen between patients with DM and controls, but there were significant reductions in skin hydration in patients with DM who had FBS > 7 mmol/L (P  6.5% (P  1 U/kg/day (P  45 years old, there was a significant reduction in TEWL (P = 0.04) and hydration (P  8 mmol/L and increased in patients with higher insulin requirement.

    Matched MeSH terms: Body Water/metabolism*
  13. The PAL2 promoter activities in relation to structural development and adaptation in Arabidopsis thaliana
    Wong JH, Namasivayam P, Abdullah MP
    Planta, 2012 Feb;235(2):267-77.
    PMID: 21874349 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-011-1506-9
    Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) plays a major role in plant growth, development and adaptation. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the enzyme is encoded by four genes, namely PAL1, PAL2, PAL3, and PAL4 with PAL1 and PAL2 being closely related phylogenetically and functionally. PAL1 promoter activities are associated with plant development and are inducible by various stress agents. However, PAL2 promoter activities have not been functionally analysed. Here, we show that the PAL2 promoter activities are associated with the structural development of a plant and its organs. This function was inducible in an organ-specific manner by the avirulent strain of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (JL1065). The PAL2 promoter was active throughout the course of the plant development particularly in the root, rosette leaf, and inflorescence stem that provide the plant with structural support. In aerial organs, the levels of PAL2 promoter activities were negatively correlated with relative positions of the organs to the rosette leaves. The promoter was inducible in the root following an inoculation by JL1065 in the leaf suggesting PAL2 to be part of an induced defence system. Our results demonstrate how the PAL2 promoter activities are being coordinated and synchronised for the structural development of the plant and its organs based on the developmental programme. Under certain stress conditions the activity may be induced in favour of certain organs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/metabolism
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator ([email protected])

External Links