High-throughput sequencing technologies (HSTs) have revolutionized crop breeding. The advent of these technologies has enabled the identification of beneficial quantitative trait loci (QTL), genes, ...and alleles for crop improvement. Climate change have made a significant effect on the global maize yield. To date, the well-known omic approaches such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics are being incorporated in maize breeding studies. These approaches have identified novel biological markers that are being utilized for maize improvement against various abiotic stresses. This review discusses the current information on the morpho-physiological and molecular mechanism of abiotic stress tolerance in maize. The utilization of omics approaches to improve abiotic stress tolerance in maize is highlighted. As compared to single approach, the integration of multi-omics offers a great potential in addressing the challenges of abiotic stresses of maize productivity.
The excessive use of pesticides has led to the harmful contamination of water reservoirs. Visible-light-driven photocatalysis is one of the suitable methods for the removal of pesticides from water. ...Herein, the development of CBO (Co3O4-Bi2O3) as a heterogeneous catalyst for the visible light-assisted degradation of Fipronil and Acetochlor pesticides is reported. After synthesis via coprecipitation using cobalt (II) nitrate hexahydrate (Co(NO3)2·6H2O), bismuth (III) nitrate pentahydrate (Bi(NO3)3·5H2O) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as precursor materials, the prepared CBO was characterized using advanced techniques including XRD, EDS, TEM, SEM, FTIR, and surface area and pore size analysis. Then, it was employed as a photocatalyst for the degradation of Fipronil and Acetochlor pesticides under visible light irradiation. The complete removal of Fipronil and Acetochlor pesticides was observed over CBO photocatalyst using 50 mL (100 mg/L) of each pesticide separately within 120 min of reaction. The reaction kinetics was investigated using a non-linear method of analysis using the Solver add-in. The prepared CBO exhibited a 2.8-fold and 2-fold catalytic performance in the photodegradation of selected pesticides than Co3O4 and Bi2O3 did, respectively.
In terms of energy security, biodiesel has become an alternative, safe, and biodegradable fuel. Here, to produce biodiesel from castor oil, a transesterification process was carried out using an ...acid-catalyzed catalyst. Three blends (B10, B20 and B30) were prepared by using different proportions of castor biodiesel and petro-diesel. Biodiesel optimum yield of 80% was obtained from 5 mL of castor oil with the influence of different parameters such as 1.75 mL of methanol and 0.08 mL of conc. H2SO4, at 65 ℃, for 3 hours with 600 revolutions per minute stirring speed for 5 mL of castor oil. Physiochemical properties of all samples such as moisture contents, iodine value, free fatty acid value, saponification value, ester value, acid value, peroxide value, viscosity (at 40 ℃), specific gravity, refractive index, density, boiling point, average molecular weight, and higher heating value were determined. Castor biodiesel characterization was resulted as 0.112 (percentage), 86 mg KOH/g, 1.0878 mg KOH/g, 0.439 mg KOH/g, 84.9122 mg KOH/g, 86.32 gI2/100 g, 20.66 Meq/100 g, 0.8850 g, 17.21 cSt, 1.4667 nD, 0.8910 g, 290 ℃, 1982.05 g, and 44.479 MJ/Kg min, respectively. The functional groups were investigated by using FTIR. In the present study, it was demonstrated that biodiesel can be produced using a method of acid-catalyzed transesterification by using castor oil.
OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted in order to explore and analyze the status of gestational diabetes (GDM) amongst pregnant women in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE); a country with high ...prevalence of diabetes. We aimed to describe GDM-associated risk factors and clinical outcomes of pregnant women and their neonates. Our objective was to contribute to the broader literature on reproductive health disparities and to inform efforts to improve GDM care at our region. METHODS: Chart review of case records were used to collect data on both maternal and neonatal parameters and outcomes during the specified study period from two main maternity hospitals in Dubai. RESULTS: UAE national women with GDM were more prone to be obese or overweight compared to non-UAE women (p < 0.0001, and p < 0.0001 respectively). In addition, UAE national women with GDM had higher history of GDM in previous pregnancies (p < 0.0001) and more family history of diabetes (p < 0.0001). The neonate admission into NICU was significantly associated with cesarean section (p < 0.0001), twins (p < 0.0001), preeclampsia (p = 0.02), receiving MgSO4 (p = 0.02), birth weight less than 2500 g (p < 0.0001), low Apgar scores (p < 0.0001), baby with congenital anomaly (p < 0.0001), and neonatal hypoglycemia (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that pregnant women with GDM who are UAE nationals and have higher parity need to be under special attention during their pregnancy in order to improve both maternal and neonatal outcomes.
The gastrointestinal nematodes are common pathogens in grazing sheep/goats throughout the world which impairs productivity and leads to high economic losses. In most part of the world, drug ...resistance against anthelmintic is now very common. In this context, various alternative control programs including herbal use against these worms is also an important option. To explore the problem, three available synthetic anthelmintic (Oxfendazole alone, oxfendazole-Levamisole combination and Ivermectin) were administered to natural major nematodes (Haemonchus, Trichuris, Strongyloides and Trichostrongylus) infected sheep and goats. Overall results revealed susceptibility of these anthelmintics (97-99% Confidence Interval of Faecal Egg Count Reduction-FECR) against four nematodes and no evidence of resistance recorded. However, three herbal anthelmintics (Atreefal Deedan, Deedani and Kirmar) available in Pakistan were tested against nematodes as an option of alternate remedy. Among these Atreefal Deedan showed highest (90-96%) FECR, followed by Deedani (80-83%) and Kirmar (32-60%). It is concluded that, on small scale assessment no drug resistance observed against few worms in sheep and goats in Pakistan. A broader study is recommended for assessment of drug resistance and also evaluation of available or practiced anthelmintic.
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