Bulletin of Biological and Allied Sciences Research
Bulletin of Biological and Allied Sciences Research (Bull. Biol. All. Sci. Res. eISSN: 2521-0092) is a peer reviewed international journal, Articles for Bulletin of Biological and Allied Sciences Research must be original reports of research not simultaneously submitted to or previously published in any other scientific or technical journal and must make a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge or toward a better understanding of existing scientific concepts. The study reported should be applicable to a sizable geographic area or an area of ecological or economic significance and of potential interest to a significant number of scientists. The journal was started aims to provide a platform of publications following eminent standards to the researchers, scholars, scientists, and professionals of Biological and Allied Sciences. The inclusion of multiple academic disciplines helps in pooling the knowledge from two or more fields of study to handle better-suited problems by finding solutions established on new understandings. The authors can submit manuscripts online through OJS System. Authors can submit their manuscripts to the editorial office along with any query about status of manuscript through email at, editor@bbasr.org Frequency of publications (Volume and Issue) Each calendar year will have one volume with one issue. Bulletin of Biological and Allied Sciences Research publishes articles as soon as the final copy-edited version is approved by the authors rather than waiting for a collection of articles for a specific issue. Also, each article is published in its respective category.
DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CHITOSAN-AMOXICILLIN HYDROGEL FOR TREATING MRSA-INFECTED BURN WOUNDS IN A MURINE MODEL
Burn wounds are highly susceptible to colonization by multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which significantly delays healing and increases morbidity. Conventional systemic antibiotics often fail to achieve effective local concentrations at the wound site due to poor tissue perfusion and the presence of bacterial resistance determinants. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a chitosan-based hydrogel loaded with amoxicillin as a localized therapeutic platform for the treatment of MRSA-infected burn wounds. Clinical S. aureus isolates were recovered from burn patients and characterized for antibiotic susceptibility and the presence of mecA and mecC genes. Chitosan hydrogels, with and without amoxicillin, were synthesized and characterized using FTIR, swelling and stability analyses, and fibroblast viability assays. Antibacterial activity was assessed through MIC and FIC evaluations. A murine burn infection model was used to examine the in vivo antimicrobial efficacy and wound healing potential of the hydrogel formulations. Results revealed that most clinical isolates exhibited multidrug resistance and carried mecA and mecC, confirming MRSA prevalence. The chitosan-amoxicillin hydrogel demonstrated favorable physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and strong synergistic antibacterial activity, with significantly lower MIC values than amoxicillin alone. In vivo, the combination hydrogel achieved rapid bacterial clearance, promoting complete wound closure by day 14 substantially faster than chitosan alone, amoxicillin alone, or untreated controls. Histological analysis further revealed superior tissue regeneration, including thicker epidermis, organized collagen deposition, and reappearance of skin appendages. The chitosan-amoxicillin hydrogel provides a potent dual-action therapeutic approach, combining enhanced antimicrobial activity with accelerated wound healing. This platform offers strong potential for managing infected burn wounds, particularly those involving drug-resistant S. aureus, and represents a promising candidate for future clinical translation.
Copyright (c) 2026 HN FATIMA, H MARYAM, MU JAMIL https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
INFLUENCE OF POTASSIUM CHLORIDE SEED PRIMING ON THE GERMINATION TRAITS OF CANOLA UNDER DIFFERENT SALINITY LEVELS
Soil salinity is a serious abiotic component that drastically lowers seed germination, especially in dry and semi-arid areas. In order to enhance germination performance under stressful circumstances, seed priming is thought to be an efficient pre-sowing method. This study aimed to assess how potassium chloride (KCl) seed priming affected canola (Brassica napus L.) germination characteristics at various salinity levels. The experiment was executed at the Carbon Sequestration and Sustainability Laboratory, Department of Agronomy, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Using three replications in a completely randomized design, seeds were halo-primed in a 30 mmol L⁻¹ KCl solution for five hours before germination under five NaCl salinity levels (0, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mmol L⁻¹). The parameters that were recorded were mean germination time (MGT), germination percentage (GP), germination energy (GE), germination rate index (GRI), coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG), and fresh weight (FW). The findings showed that whereas MGT increased, indicating delayed and decreased germination under salt stress, rising salinity levels dramatically decreased FW, CVG, GP, GE, and GRI. Primed seeds under control conditions had the highest FW (0.4233 g), CVG (46.176), and GRI (5.4167), while unprimed seeds at 50 mmol L⁻¹ NaCl had the smallest values. When compared to unprimed seeds, seed priming with KCl greatly enhanced germination performance at all salinity levels, leading to a larger germination percentage and quicker germination. According to findings, KCl seed priming constructively mitigates the detrimental effects of salt on canola germination by improving the physiological mechanisms involved in germination. Consequently, seed priming can be considered to be an easy and affordable method to enhance crop establishment in a saline environment.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ahmad J, M NADEEM, SHUH SHERAZI, A SHAHID, H AHMED https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
GENOME-WIDE CHARACTERIZATION AND EXPRESSION ANALYSIS OF THE BCCP GENE FAMILY IN SOYBEAN: IMPLICATIONS FOR FATTY ACID BIOSYNTHESIS UNDER SALT STRESS AND MELATONIN TREATMENT
Soybean oil is a complex mixture of triacylglycerols rich in unsaturated fatty acids which are major sources of lipids for human and animal consumption. The biosynthesis of soybean oil, an important agricultural commodity, involves a complex network of enzymes and regulatory pathways. One of the major pathways, BCCP domain of Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC) is considered as a vital key role player for this process but its role in soybeans remained poorly understood. In this study, the identified and characterized 11 BCCP genes in the soybean genome (GmBCCP) revealed their diverse roles in fatty acid biosynthesis and stress response. One of the 4 subunits of Acetyl-CoA Carboxyl (ACC), BCCP (Biotin Carboxyl Carrier Protein) domain have great importance for fatty acid biosynthesis in plants, impacting the oil content and its composition. To evaluate the composition, function, and structure of this domain in soybean, this study was conducted to explore their gene structures, conserved motifs, chromosomal distribution, physiochemical properties, evolutionary relationships, and expression patterns under melatonin and salt stress. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the evolutionary conservation of GmBCCP genes across diverse oilseed crops, particularly with Arabidopsis. Subcellular localization highlighted their diverse roles in key metabolic compartments of cells. Cis-regulatory element analysis showed the potential functions in stress responses, growth, development, and hormone signaling. The distinction in intron-exon structures indicates potential regulatory complexity through alternative splicing. Gene duplication analysis identified segmental and tandem duplications contributing to the expansion and functional diversification of the GmBCCP gene family. RNA-seq data demonstrated that melatonin treatment upregulated GmBCCP1 and GmBCCP10 expression, potentially stimulating fatty acid biosynthesis. Additionally, melatonin lessened the salt-induced downregulation of GmBCCP2, suggesting its role in stress tolerance. These findings provide a comprehensive groundwork for understanding the functional roles of GmBCCP genes in soybean, with implications for crop improvement strategies for enhancing oil production and stress resilient soybean cultivars. These insights provide a foundation for targeted breeding strategies aimed at enhancing oil yield and developing stress-tolerant soybean cultivars.
Copyright (c) 2026 MU RASHEED, A MALIK, MT TUFAIL, A SAMI, MZ HAIDER, Q ALI, MA JAVED, D ALI https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
COMPARISON AND SYNERGISTIC IMPACT OF ALOE VERA LEAF EXTRACT AND SALICYLIC ACID ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL ADAPTATION OF CACAO CULTIVARS TO SALINE STRESS
Salinity is one of the significant abiotic stress factors that accentuate the growth of Theobroma cacao L., severely limiting its growth, physiological performance, and yield potential. The current paper examined the role of Aloe vera leaf extract (AVE) and salicylic acid (SA) used individually and in combinations in the physiological and biochemical responses of two cacao plants (CCN-51 and ICS-95), under 100 mM NaCl-induced salinity. Salinity had a huge impact on reducing the growth of the plants, the ratio of water to the material (RWC), chlorophyll pigmentation, and the concentration of potassium (K+), and elevated electrolyte leakage (EL), sodium (Na+) accumulation, and the indicators of oxidative stress. Foliar treatment of SA and AVE as a single or combined agent had significant alleviating effects against salt stress, which included the maintenance of membrane stability, osmotic adjustment, antioxidant defense system strengthening, and ionic homeostasis. The SA+AVE treatment had the strongest effect on the increase in chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase), and K+/Na+ ratio, and a significant decrease in the electrolyte leakage and Na+. CCN-51 was found to have a relatively high salt tolerance among the two cultivars, and this is related to an effective antioxidant mechanism and high ability to lose ions. On the whole, the combination of Aloe vera extract and salicylic acid is a potentially dependable and environmentally friendly approach that allows to increase salt tolerance and cacao yield in a salty environment.
Copyright (c) 2026 Z ALI, MA RAZA, M AWAIS, MF SHAHEEN, MM JAMEEL, MT ALI, M AZEEM, Q RAMZAN, M REHAN, Q HAYYAT https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF INDIGENOUS SOIL BACTERIA FOR SUSTAINABLE SELF-HEALING CONCRETE VIA MICROBIALLY INDUCED CALCITE PRECIPITATION
Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) is a revolutionary bio-mineralization technology that has great potential for sustainable construction applications. The present study isolated, identified, characterized, and evaluated the potential calcium carbonate precipitation-producing positive bacteria from agricultural soils of Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and their potential for concrete crack healing. Three bacterial isolates with the highest urease activity were isolated from three different agricultural soil samples: Bacillus cereus (580 U/mL, Day 4), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (525 U/mL, Day 6), and Staphylococcus aureus (515U/mL, Day 6). All isolates were identified by Gram staining, biochemical tests, and 16S rRNA sequencing. CaCO₃ precipitation was induced in vitro by introducing cultures to nutrient broth containing 3% urea and 24 mM CaCl₂ at pH 9.0. Physicochemical analysis of soil showed an alkaline reaction in pH (8.66–8.67), which is favorable for the growth of ureolytic bacteria, loamy to silt texture, and moisture content (29.33 to 31.51%). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) characterization of precipitates showed the polymorphic crystal forms of CaCO₃, such as irregular cubic (calcite), rod-like (aragonite) and spherical (vaterite) morphologies. The sizes were confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and were found to be between 2–5 µm. The characteristic absorption bands of calcite, aragonite and vaterite were identified using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) at 874.41 cm-1, 1022.16 cm-1 and 1627.90 cm-1, respectively. The elemental composition of calcium, carbon, and oxygen was confirmed using Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The results confirm the potential use of the isolated local soil bacteria as an eco-friendly biological alternative for the bio-concrete industry using the MICP process for construction repair applications, which are expensive and unsustainable.
Copyright (c) 2026 JAMSHID, F SHIREEN, MS KHALIL, F HABIB, S YILMAZ, A AZIZ, S KHAN https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
INTEGRATED IN SILICO AND MOLECULAR DOCKING ANALYSIS OF GDF7 nsSNPs ASSOCIATED WITH BARRETT’S ESOPHAGUS
Growth differentiation factor 7 (GDF7), a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, plays a vital role in cell differentiation, survival, and development. Mutations in GDF7 have been linked to various disorders, including Barrett’s esophagus (BE), a condition arising from chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) on the structure, stability, and function of the GDF7 protein and to assess the binding potential of proflavine with both wild-type and mutant GDF7 proteins. Missense SNPs were analyzed using SIFT, MUpro, PolyPhen-2, PhD-SNP, GeneMANIA, Meta-SNP, I-mutant, Consurf, Project Hope and SNPs&GO. The wild-type structure of GDF7 was predicted using the AlphaFold database, while mutant models were generated using Swiss Model. Binding sites of GDF7 were predicted using COACH-D, and molecular docking with Proflavine was conducted using AutoDock Vina via PyRx. A total of 325 missense SNPs were found in the GDF7 gene, of which five nsSNPs (rs146317060, rs146567848, rs367794645, rs369544272, rs377143734) were specified as damaging to the structure, stabilization, and role of the GDF7 protein and were housed in conserved regions. The selected 5 mutations (D364H, R419H, K352T, V434A, I423M) were incorporated in the modeling of the mutant structure and template Q9BDW8.1.A model from SWISS-MODEL was selected as most suitable, with 94.63% identity with the amino acid sequence provided. Docking score and interaction analysis showed that Proflavine has strong binding affinity and a variety of interactions with mutated GDF7, so this suggests that the compound has promising potential and can be further developed as a drug for targeting diseases caused by mutations in the GDF7 pathway, when coupled with experimental results in vitro. This study identified 5 harmful nsSNPs in GDF7 and revealed Proflavine as a potential therapeutic molecule for targeting Barrett's Esophagus. The findings provide insights into personalized medicine approaches for managing diseases influenced by GDF7 alterations.
Copyright (c) 2026 R BIBI, S RIAZ, S KHAN, R SALMANOVA, MZ SADIKAN, S MOEEZ, S KIRBAG, Q ALI, A ULLAH https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
GENOME-WIDE IDENTIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND EXPRESSION ANALYSIS OF NPR1-LIKE IN ORYZA SATIVA GENOTYPES UNDER PATHOGEN STRESS
Rice (Oryza sativa) is the main food source in many countries and its production is continuously threatened by various pathogens and harsh environmental conditions. The family of NPR1 (Non-expressor of Pathogenesis-Related genes 1) proteins play a central role not only in signaling and plant immunity but also in tolerance to various types of stresses. In the present study, a systematic search and investigation of the functional relevance of OsNPR1 members, taking Arabidopsis NPR1 as the standard, were carried out. Five genes similar to NPR1 (OsNPR1-1 to OsNPR1-5) were identified in the rice genome by the use of Phytozome. Observations of gene structures showed variations in the arrangements of exon-intron, while chromosome mapping displayed that these genes were unevenly located on chromosomes 1 and 3; also some of these genes were absent on several other chromosomes. Physicochemical features revealed that proteins had lengths from 582 to 635 amino acids; they also displayed different isoelectric points. A phylogenetic tree was drawn and showed 5 distinct groups, revealing the evolutionary relationships established by conserved nodes. The search of conserved motifs through MEME substantiated the presence of NPR1-like motifs and this suggests functional conservation. Based on subcellular localization prediction, majority of OsNPR1 proteins may be present in the nucleus and this supports their involvement in transcriptional regulation. Ka/Ks analysis showed that while segmental duplications have led to a gene expansion, purifying selection has been keeping the genes stable throughout evolution. Analysis of synteny between OsNPR genes and other plants showed that OsNPR1-4 had strong collinearity mainly with Arabidopsis. Examination of the gene promoter regions revealed the presence of cis-elements related to hormone, stress, and light responses. Also, by predicting the miRNA-target, post-transcriptional regulation of OsNPR1-1 by several conserved miRNA families was suggested. As per GO annotation, OsNPR1-1, OsNPR1-2, and OsNPR1-5 participate in salicylic acid response which enhances defense. They have organic acid-binding capacity and get localized to the cytoplasmic INA complex, thereby elevating disease resistance of Oryza sativa. Expression profiling in response to nitrogen fertilizer and Pyricularia oryzae infection showed OsNPR1-1 as the gene having highest level of mRNA. That finding was statistically significant for biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Results indicate that OsNPR1-1 is essential in defense and nutrient signaling pathways in rice. This detailed characterization establishes a basis for upcoming functional studies and genetic enhancement initiatives focused on improving rice stress resilience via NPR1-mediated signaling.
Copyright (c) 2026 T NAZISH, M SHAFIQ, MR ASHRAF, Z ALI, MA ZUHAIB, Q HAYYAT https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
PHYTOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITIES OF MELIA AZEDARACH L. EXTRACTS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF SOIL-BORNE PHYTOPATHOGENIC FUNGI
The current study assessed the phytochemical screening and antifungal activities of Melia azedarach fruit and leaf extracts made using aqueous and ethanol solvents against a main soil-borne plant pathogenic mould, comprising Sclerotium rolfsii, Macrophomina phaseolina, Rhizoctonia solani, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum. Qualitative p secondary metabolites analysis revealed the occurrence of flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, saponins, tannins and alkaloids in both extracts, with ethanol extracts observing relatively maximum profusion of phytochemicals, chiefly flavonoids and phenols. Antifungal activities were evaluated via reduction of biomass technique at various doses (50–300 mg/mL). All extracts displayed a vibrant concentration-dependent inhibition activity on mould biomass. Amongst all treatments, fruits and leaves ethanol extracts exhibited the maximum fungicidal efficiencies, attaining the highest inhibition of biomass up to 88% against Fusarium oxysporum and over 80% against the greatest experimented mould at 300 mg/mL. The water extracts also presented significant activities nevertheless were relatively lower activity across all doses. Generally, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum were the most susceptible fungi, whereas Sclerotium rolfsii revealed comparatively maximum resistance. The research highlights that plant parts and types of solvents meaningfully affect the isolation of bioactive substances and their antifungal properties. The results suggest that Melia azedarach owns powerful capacity as a non-synthetic source of antifungal compounds for controlling soil-borne diseases.
Copyright (c) 2026 J ALI, M SIDDIQUE, M AKRAM, JA BANGASH, S KIRBAG https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF MULTI DRUG RESISTANT ESCHERICHIA COLI CAUSING BOVINE MASTITIS
Different antibiotics are used to treat mastitis in dairy cows that is caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli). Addressing this threat requires a combination of a multidisciplinary approach involving human, animal, and environmental health. Because antibiotic agents used in veterinary medication may be the same or similar to those in human medication. Mastitis is a common and economically important disease in dairy cattle. It remains one of the most common reasons for the extensive use of antimicrobials in dairy farms, leading to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. The current study aimed to investigate the incidence of multidrug-resistant E. coli in dairy milk samples collected from Mastitis and healthy milk in the district of Dir Lower, characterize the multi-drug-resistant (MDR) E. coli, and molecular detection of the predominant ESBL-encoding genes by using PCR assay. All confirmed (17) samples of ESBL-encoding E. coli strains were tested via conventional PCR for the molecular screening of blaCTX-M gene, blaTEM gene, and blaSHV gene from mastitic milk isolates. Out of 17 isolates, 6 (35.29%) isolates were positive for co-existence of blaCTX-M gene and blaTEM gene, 5 (29.41%) isolates were positive for single existence of blaCTX-M, 2 (11.76%) isolates were positive for single existence of blaTEM, 4 (23.52%) isolates were positive for blaSHV gene. In this study, the most predominant gene was blaCTX-M gene, showing (64.70%) followed by blaTEM gene (47.05%) and blaSHV gene (23.52%). Eleven different antibiotics were used in this study to check their susceptibility pattern. The isolated strains were highly resistant to Ampicillin (100 %) and highly sensitive to Levofloxacin (100%), Ciprofloxacin (100%), and Chloramphenicol (100%). The incidence of these genes in indicator organisms from milk samples, enforced the potential of food-producing animals as sources of MDR organism’s infection in humans via the food chain. Thus, there is a need for the adoption of a tripartite One Health approach in surveillance to control antimicrobial resistance, and antibiotic sensitivity must be checked before treatment of any infection.
Copyright (c) 2026 N ULLAH, S AHMAD, SU REHMAN, S RIAZ, MM ADIL, S MANSOOR https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
EVALUATION OF THE NUTRACEUTICAL, ANTI-LEISHMANIA AND ANTICANCER POTENTIAL OF CITRUS LIMON PEEL EXTRACTS
Citrus belongs to the family Rutaceae and comprises different plants and fruits. The Citrus limon peel consists of rich nutrient values, i.e., essential oil and compounds, which can be used as anticancer and antimicrobial agents. The present study has explored the concept of nutraceutical, antileishmanial, and anticancer activities of Citrus limon peel. The samples of local and hybrid Citrus limon were collected from the district of Mardan. The lemon peel was extracted and dried at room temperature. After drying, the lemon peel was ground to obtain fine powder. Powders of both types of lemon peel were soaked in methanol at room temperature for 15-21 days. Powdered extracts were analyzed for the presence of different active ingredients, i.e., alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, and tannins. The result of digestibility revealed that hybrid lemon was high in dry matter, Ash, crude proteins, fiber, and lower fat. The preliminary phytochemical study revealed that alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, and tannins were found in both local and hybrid lemon. The findings of EDX represent that the CK was 65.82 % and 67.51 % of the atomic weights for the CK, while 32.54% and 30.62 had been taken in the OK. The FTIR results showed that functional groups are present in both local and hybrid lemon peels. The alkane and amines are present in local and hybrid lemon peels, while ketones and tertiary alcohols are present in local lemon peels, and carboxylic acid and amine groups are present in hybrid lemon peels. The MTT assay showed that the methanolic extracts of hybrid and local Citrus limon peel were more efficacious than aqueous and chloroform extracts in suppressing promastigotes L. major and L. tropica, while the aqueous extracts showed the lowest activity against promastigotes L. major and L. tropica in both cases. Overall, the activity of berberine and hybrid Citrus limon peel was much higher than the activity of local Citrus limon peel. The anticancer potential of different solvent-based lemon peel extracts against the HepG2 cell line was evaluated after 48 hours. The extracts of lemon peel in four different solvents, including methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, and chloroform, were compared. In the case of lemon peel chloroform extract, the highest inhibition (65.93 percent) was seen at a concentration of 100ug/ml, but in the case of lemon peel ethyl acetate extract, it was 61.75 percent at a concentration of 200ug/ml. On the other hand, it is quite evident that hybrid lemon peel extract dissolved in various solvents (methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, and chloroform) showed significantly reduced cytotoxicity against HeLa cancer cells in comparison to wild-type lemon peel extract. The study concludes that C. lemon extract can be used for better treatment of different anticancer and antileishmaniasis assays.
Copyright (c) 2026 BASWARA, A AZIZ, B GULZAR, IA KHAN, K BASHIR, FA KHAN, Q ALI, A ULLAH, F SHIREEN, S KIRBAGH https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
SERUM MICRORNA LET-7B AS A POTENTIAL NON-INVASIVE DIAGNOSTIC BIOMARKER IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS B
Abstract Hepatitis B is one of the biggest challenges and threats to health globally. It can lead to serious liver issues such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. The current research explores a particular microRNA, Let-7b, in the blood, which can assist in the early diagnosis of HBV without being invasive. We obtained blood samples from 110 patients with HBV infection at Mardan Medical Complex, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. LFTs and viral load were measured using automated chemistry analyzers and real-time PCR, respectively. The expression of miRNA Let-7b was measured by RT-PCR, and the results were calculated using the ∆CT method. Statistical analysis included Student's t-test, ROC analysis, and Pearson correlation, which were performed by SPSS and GraphPad Prism. In the study, 69% were male, and 31% female patients; the majority of HBV infections were aged 21-40 years, accounting for 60% of the total. We examined their blood chemistry; most had a total bilirubin concentration of 0.1-1.4 mg/dl, which accounted for 73.6%, and their alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentration was approximately 65.63 ng/ml. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for expression of the miRNA Let-7b, and was significantly higher in HBV patients as compared to healthy individuals, with a p-value of 0.0001. The result showed a value of 0.797 from the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, indicating that Let-7b might be a potential biomarker for diagnosis. There was no association between the level of Let-7b and liver function tests, with a p-value of 0.020. This study suggests that Let-7b might have a role in the pathogenesis of HBV-related liver dysfunction, but further studies are required to fully explore its potential use in clinical settings.
Copyright (c) 2026 K REHMAN, H KHAN, N SAEED, M GOHAR, FA KHAN, MA KHAN, S KIRBAGH, A ULLAH https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
MIND THE GAP: CLINICAL CAUTION IN USING MFBIA FOR BODY FAT ASSESSMENT
Impedance-based body composition assessment is commonly used because it is quick, noninvasive, and practical in clinical and field settings. However, its accuracy compared with reference methods can vary across different populations. The current study examined how well multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MFBIA; seca mBCA 514) agreed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in estimating body fat percentage (BF%) and fat mass in adults. In this agreement study, 45 adults received the same-day body composition measurements using MFBIA and DXA. Agreement between the two methods was evaluated using Bland-Altman analysis, paired statistical tests, effect sizes, and root mean square error (RMSE). Correlation and linear regression analyses were also performed to assess the strength of association and predictive relationship between the methods. The results showed that MFBIA and DXA produced similar estimates for body weight and body mass index (BMI). However, MFBIA consistently underestimated body fat-related measures. Mean BF% was 30.32 ± 8.08% with MFBIA compared with 33.86 ± 7.79% with DXA, resulting in a mean bias of -3.54 percentage points (95% CI: -4.34 to -2.74; p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = -1.33). Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated limits of agreement ranging from -8.75 to +1.67 percentage points for BF% and from -8.41 to +3.40 kg for fat mass, with no evidence of proportional bias. Although BF% estimates from the two methods were strongly correlated (r = 0.945; R² = 0.892), the RMSE of 4.41 percentage points indicated considerable variation at the individual level. Overall, MFBIA showed a strong relationship with DXA measurements but systematically underestimated BF% and fat mass. While the two methods were closely associated, the observed bias and relatively wide limits of agreement suggest that MFBIA should not be used interchangeably with DXA when precise individual-level estimates of body fat percentage are required.
Copyright (c) 2026 MR QURESHI, SHS MOHAMMED, MM ALAM, F ASHRAF, SR UMRAO, Z PASCUAL, FU AMIN, MM KHAN https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
GENOME-WIDE ANALYSIS OF PATHOGENESIS-RELATED PROTEIN 1 (PR1) GENES REVEALS STRUCTURAL AND EXPRESSION DIVERSITY IN PISUM SATIVUM
Pathogenesis-related gene PR1 acts as an essential element in the plant defensive mechanism and is made during the process of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and salicylic-induced signaling. The genome-wide analysis of the PR1 gene in Pisum sativum has been conducted to analyze the functionality, composition, and evolutionary status of this gene. Based on the fact that CAP (Cysteine-rich secretory proteins, Antigen 5, and Pathogenesis-related 1) domain, fifteen PsPR1 genes were identified. Complete CAP domain has been found on these proteins, which ensures that all belong to the PR1 family. There is a mild difference in the size of protein, the molecular mass, as well as the point of isoelectric activity showed by the physicochemical study. On the other hand, subcellular localization predictions revealed that there is predominant extracellular targeting, with the secretory nature of PR-1 proteins, in multiple cellular compartments. The Fabaceae family has a lineage-specific increase of PR-1 genes, according to phylogenetic research with several dicot species. This suggests functional conservation with known Arabidopsis thaliana PR-1 homologs involved in SAR. The majority of PsPR1 genes are either intron-less or have a single intron, supporting fast transcriptional activation during stress, according to conserved motif and gene structure analyses that revealed strong evolutionary conservation. Strong purifying selection was shown by Ka/Ks analysis of duplicated gene pairs, highlighting PR-1 genes' physiological importance in pea defence. Numerous cis-regulatory regions linked to hormone signalling, stress response, and transcription factor binding were found by promoter analysis, suggesting intricate regulatory control. PsPR1 genes were found to be distributed unevenly by chromosomal mapping, with tandem duplication being the main cause of the substantial clustering on chromosome 1. Tandem and segmental duplication events both contributed to the formation of the gene family, according to synteny analysis. PsPR1.1, PsPR1.3, and PsPR1.9 were found to be significantly regulated genes by expression profiling during heat stress, especially in the heat-tolerant cultivar Akra Chaitra. Overall, this study identifies intriguing possibilities for enhancing heat stress resilience and offers a solid foundation for comprehending the functional evolution and stress-responsive activities of PR-1 genes in Pisum sativum.
Copyright (c) 2026 SHUH SHERAZI, M SHAFIQ, H AHMED, J AHMAD, M HAMMAD, A SANAM, M REHAN, MT TUFAIL, Q HAYYAT https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
GENOME-WIDE EVALUATION OF THE YABBY TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR GENE FAMILY IN THEOBROMA CACAO AND COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITH ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA
YABBY gene family is a group of plant transcription factors, as well as a DNA-binding domain incorporating numerous activities such as style length control in flowering plants and polarity formation of lateral organs. The genome of Theobroma cacao was utilized to discover members of the YABBY gene family via some online web techniques. Structure of the gene, location on the chromosome, protein motifs, phylogenetic investigation, synteny and dual synteny analysis, cis-regulatory elements, subcellular localization and functional enrichment, and protein–protein interaction networks were analyzed. In this case, 7 YABBY genes were identified at random on all 10 chromosomes. Cacao YABBY proteins formed five sub-categories (AtINO, AtCRC, AtYAB5, AtAFO and AtYAB2) based on the familiar Arabidopsis classification. Comparison of the synteny of cacao and Arabidopsis showed that a conserved orthologous relationship was present between the two species, indicating the evolutionary presence of YABBY genes in dicot species. Ka/Ks analysis showed that TcYABBY genes have mostly evolved under severe purifying pressure. Promoter analysis revealed the presence of multiple hormone- and stress-responsive cis-regulatory elements, suggesting potential regulatory roles in growth and environmental responses. Functional enrichment and interaction analyses further supported the involvement of TcYABBY proteins in developmental and metabolic regulatory pathways. Comprehensively, this research paper offers an extensive framework of YABBY gene evolution and functional potential of cacao and is an important source of future functional characterization and breeding-related studies.
Copyright (c) 2026 Q HAYYAT, MS AMJAD, MA ZOHAIB https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
GENOME-WIDE IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PLANT SPECIFIC BPC TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR GENE FAMILY IN COTTON
Cotton is an essential cash crop extensively cultivated throughout the world and serves as the primary natural fiber for the textile industry. However, cotton crop is intolerant to various environmental stressors that significantly influence crop quality and yield. The growth of plants and abiotic stress reactivity are crucially regulated by the transcription factor BASIC PENTACYSTEINE (BPC). Nevertheless, it is still unknown how the BPC family genes in cotton work and what their molecular foundation is. This study aimed to check the molecular functions of GhBPC gene in abiotic stress resistance. Ten GhBPC genes have been identified and characterized. GhBPC gene arrangement, motif analysis, cis-regulatory regions, and subcellular localization were all thoroughly examined. The gene architectures, chromosome locations, phylogeny, subcellular localization, cis-regulatory analysis, protein motifs, and evolutionary patterns of the BPC gene family in cotton are all thoroughly discussed in this piece of literature. This research offers an in-depth comprehension of the cotton BPC gene family and can be used as a reference for functional analysis and gene family member cloning.
Copyright (c) 2026 M NADEEM, J AHMAD, SHUH SHERAZI, A SHAHID, K TAHIR, H AHMED https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
ANTIBACTERIAL POTENTIAL OF MELIA AZEDARACH LEAVES AND FRUITS EXTRACTS AGAINST BACTERIAL SPECIES PRODUCING FOOD POISONING DISEASES
The current study was conducted for the evaluation of antimicrobial activities of Melia azedarach fruit and leaf extracts using aqueous and ethanol solvents against 5 bacterial strains: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus cereus. Antibacterial activities were evaluated by the disc diffusion method, whereas the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were measured applying standards bacteriological techniques. Outcomes of the disc diffusion technique assay showed that ethanol extracts displayed significant antibacterial potential as compared with water extracts, with a zone of inhibition spectrum of 15 to 22 mm for fruits and leaves, matched to 10 to 14 mm for water extracts at 100 mg/mL. The maximum vulnerability was shown against Bacillus cereus, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed the smallest sensitivity. The MIC degree additionally verified strong efficiency of ethanol leaf extracts, ranging from 25 to 125mg/mL, whereas fruit extracts (aqueous) showed the maximum MIC degrees (up to 200mg/mL). Likewise, MBC results showed that ethanol leaf extracts had the strongest bactericidal efficiency (50–225 mg/mL), while fruit water extracts displayed the weakest activities (200–250 mg/mL). Generally, the results indicate that Melia azedarach exhibits strong antibacterial activities, predominantly in ethanol leaf extracts, and might act as a latent source of natural antibacterial substances. The research also highlights the dissimilarity in microbial vulnerability, with Gram-positive microbes being more susceptible as compared with Gram-negative microbes.
UNRAVELING THE STRUCTURAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF CROSS-REACTIVITY IN DENGUE VIRUS AND ZIKA VIRUS CO-INFECTION
Dengue virus (DENV) co-infection with Zika virus (ZIKV) presents a significant health challenge, primarily due to their shared transmission by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. In recent years, Zika outbreaks have occurred in areas where dengue is endemic. The widespread presence of mosquito vectors facilitates simultaneous infection with both viruses at the same time in these areas. Both DENV and ZIKV are flaviviruses, and there are significant clinical and structural similarities. Because of this structural similarity, there can be cross-reactivity, and this cross-reactive immune response may result in false-positive serological results, especially for those who have a secondary infection. This cross-reactivity can therefore lead to an overestimation of the prevalence of Zika in areas where dengue is common. This review explores the structural similarities between DENV and ZIKV and the mechanisms of immunological cross-reactivity at both structural and cellular levels. It discusses the challenges associated with accurately assessing the prevalence of dengue and Zika co-infections.
Copyright (c) 2026 S YOUNAS, U ZAHOOR, S MANZOOR, MZ SALEEM, Q ALI https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
INTEGRATIVE MULTI-OMICS INSIGHTS INTO HEAVY METAL STRESS TOLERANCE IN AMARANTHUS: TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE PHYTOREMEDIATION AND NUTRACEUTICAL CROP DEVELOPMENT
Amaranthus spp. has great potential as a nutritionally complete, climate-resilient crop that is suited for cultivation on marginal or contaminated soils. However, the continuing increase in the amount of toxic heavy metals i.e., cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) present within soils, is a major limiting factor for crop productivity, food safety, and environmental sustainability. Recent advances in high-throughput omics technologies, which have produced system-level insights related to plant responses to stress, have not been effectively applied to amaranth. This review summarizes current scientific knowledge concerning the molecular mechanisms that underlie the ability of Amaranthus spp. to tolerate heavy metal stress through the use of integrative multi-omics strategies. These tolerance strategies include metal transport, chelation, antioxidant defense, and stress signaling, and will be considered through the lens of systems biology to illustrate how these mechanisms are coordinated with one another. A review of the current state of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics research revealed critical issues with data integration, functional validation, and species-specific resources. Constraints such as low genetic diversity, low transformation efficiency, and multi-omics data integration difficulties are discussed. Future directions highlighted the integration of multi-omics with genome editing techniques and artificial intelligence to accelerate the development of heavy metal-tolerant and nutritionally-enhanced amaranth cultivars, thereby supporting sustainable agricultural systems and resilient food systems.
Copyright (c) 2026 L IQRA, S AIMEN, Q ALI https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
CHEMOSENSITIZATION: A NEW HOPE FOR OVERCOMING FUNGICIDE RESISTANCE IN CROP PROTECTION
The chemical method of pest control is the most reliable in crop protection for high yield and better quality of produce. In agriculture more than 200 fungicides are in use and have different modes of action. The number of registered fungicides is based more on the above. New generation fungicides such as triazoles or azoles, methoxy acrylates group, etc., are used against phytopathogenic fungi and significantly control the most severe diseases. Despite multiple applications of these fungicides in the crop in the same growing season, they are needed for the management of these pathogens. But application at these doses promotes the development of resistance and is detrimental to the environment. That can make any fungicide costly as well as does not last very long for the farmers. Several trials have been done at higher doses, causing biomagnification as well as bioconcentration. which is also not sustainable from any point of view. So in search of different sustainable ways to overcome these resistance problems. One of the rational ways is to use chemosensitization, where natural compounds help to increase the antifungal activity of modern fungicides to solve these acute problems. It is the combination of synthetic or commercial fungicides with non- or marginal natural compounds where it synergistically increases the efficacy of the target fungicides. Generally, the target of a chemosensitizing agent differs from commercial or known fungicides in both biochemical and structural ways. Chemosensitization is eco-friendly in the way of reducing doses of fungicides. In this review, chemo-sensitization helps to cross the bottlenecks of resistant problems against modern fungicide groups when they are co-applied with natural metabolites or secondary plant metabolites. We must understand the problem and mechanism of resistance development in the fungus as well.
Copyright (c) 2026 K TRIPATHI , R KUMAR, P KAUSHIK , NA SHAKIL https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
MECHANISMS OF ACTION AND SIGNALING PATHWAYS INVOLVED IN ABIOTIC STRESS ELICITATION
Abiotic stressors like drought, salinity, heat, heavy metals, oxidative stress, and UV radiation severely limit plant growth, development, and productivity. Plants detect these stresses using particular membrane sensors, resulting in fast changes in intracellular calcium concentrations, reactive oxygen species pulses, and phytohormone signaling. These initial signals are converted into conserved kinase signaling pathways (MAPKs, CDPKs, SnRK2s) and hormone-mediated pathways (ABA-dependent and ABA-independent), which then activate stress-responsive transcription factors (DREBs, NACs, WRKYs, MYBs) and remodel the transcriptome. Chromatin modification, alternative splicing, short RNAs, and post-translational modifications (phosphorylation and ubiquitination) all contribute to complicated regulation, ensuring precise control of stress gene expression. Plants use hormonal interactions and network hubs to balance survival, growth, and defense. Recent advances in systems biology have revealed these complicated networks, and biotechnological approaches—transgenic methods, CRISPR/Cas genome editing, and multi-omics integration—have opened up new avenues for the production of stress-tolerant crops. This chapter provides a thorough, human-crafted overview of these processes and examines future directions for applying molecular knowledge to sustainable farming operations.
Copyright (c) 2026 M HAMMAD, M SHAFIQ, A BATOOL, SHUH SHERAZI https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
FROM TOXICOLOGY TO TECHNOLOGY: HUMAN HEALTH RISKS OF MYCOTOXINS IN THE FOOD CHAIN AND CURRENT APPROACHES TO THEIR DETECTION AND CONTROL
Mycotoxins are small secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium. They are common contaminants of food and feed and pose a serious threat to public health. These toxins exert acute and chronic effects ranging from hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, estrogenic, neurotoxic, and immunosuppressive outcomes to mutagenicity and carcinogenicity, with exposure occurring via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. Major classes include aflatoxins, ochratoxin A (OTA), fumonisins, zearalenone (ZEA), trichothecenes, and patulin, frequently contaminating cereals, nuts, spices, dried fruits, juices, and dairy products. Climate change, through drought, heat, and elevated CO₂, is expected to alter fungal growth and raise mycotoxin risks. The burden is highlighted by aflatoxicosis outbreaks, such as the 2004 event in Kenya that caused 125 deaths. Mechanistic studies show that aflatoxin B₁ can be activated by cytochrome P450, form DNA adducts, and lead to hepatocellular carcinoma. OTA is nephrotoxic and potentially carcinogenic; fumonisins disrupt sphingolipid metabolism with links to esophageal cancer; ZEA perturbs endocrine function and fertility. Analytical surveillance employs chromatographic platforms (LC/GC) with fluorescence, UV, or mass spectrometry, alongside immunoassays and immunoaffinity workflows. Key challenges include achieving trace-level sensitivity, ensuring specificity in complex matrices, and lowering operational costs, which limit monitoring in resource-constrained regions. Regulatory limits, such as those set by the EU, emphasize standardized detection and risk control. Mitigation relies on a farm-to-fork approach integrating good agricultural practices, biological and chemical controls, and effective post-harvest handling. Physical and bioprocessing methods like gamma irradiation, cold plasma, ammoniation, alkaline treatments, and microbial or enzymatic degradation using Lactobacillus, Saccharomyces, laccases, and aflatoxin-oxidase offer practical reduction strategies. Emerging precision biosensors, AI-based risk prediction, and genome-driven biocontrol and enzyme engineering promise earlier detection and improved detoxification. This review synthesizes current insights on toxicology, monitoring, and mitigation to lower human exposure and protect food systems.
Copyright (c) 2026 R SAFDAR, M IMRAN, E MUSHTAQ, A NASIR https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
CARBON NANOTUBES AS DUAL-ACTION NANOMATERIALS: REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES-MEDIATED ANTIFUNGAL AND ANTICANCER MECHANISMS
Carbon nanomaterials, especially CNTs, have drawn much attention over the past decade due to their versatile biomedical engineering and pharmaceutical sciences applications. Such materials have distinct mechanical, electrical, and physicochemical properties, which render them applicable to a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications. CNTs have been investigated widely for their antimicrobial properties due to their ability to interfere with the cell membranes and produce ROS, which makes them toxic. As far as biomedical applications are concerned, CNTs are also being probed for promoting drug delivery, particularly in cancer treatment, by leveraging the possibility of ROS generation inside the cancer cells. The bioproliferation of ROS is important for tumorigenesis and treatment alike, as CNTs can result in oxidative stress, which can cause cell apoptosis or facilitate the onset of cancer by damaging DNA. The paper reports CNTs that are interacting with cells, their opportunities for nanomedicine, drug delivery, and the damage caused by CNTs in cancer therapy. However, the safety and biocompatibility of CNTs are still a major issue, and further studies are required to improve their application in therapeutic settings. In this review, CNT-mediated cellular damage is reviewed in detail, as well as their potential in medical and biotechnological applications.
Copyright (c) 2026 HM SHAHZAD, S MANZOOR, S YOUNAS, GZ JAHANGIR, B NAZIR https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
CLIMATE-RESILIENT HORTICULTURE THROUGH GENOMIC TOOLS: A DECADE OF GENOME-WIDE ASSOCIATION STUDIES (GWAS) APPLICATIONS AMIDST A CHANGING CLIMATE
Climate change offers a growing danger to global horticulture productivity, with rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and increased soil salinity. However, throughout the last decade, the GWAS era has revolutionized our understanding of genetic architecture for abiotic stress tolerance in horticulture crops. This study outlines GWAS research development from 2015 to 2025, focusing on drought, heat, and salinity tolerance in horticulture crops. Some of the significant highlights are the finding of stable loci such as SlALMT15 in tomato for stomatal function, QTL for tuber heat tolerance in potato, and salt-tolerant genes in cucumber seedlings. Integration with transcriptomics, phenomics, and genomic selection has accelerated candidate gene validation and breeding applications. Despite these advancements, critical challenges remain—limited sample sizes, inconsistent phenotyping, underrepresentation of orphan crops, and the need for multi-environment trials. Abiotic stressors account for 50-80% of the potential yield loss of numerous horticulture crops, according to global studies conducted between 2010 and 2025. The combination of multi-omics and AI-assisted genomic prediction has increased the effectiveness of GWAS-based trait identification in plant breeding research. This review also explores the role of international consortia, community genomics databases, and data-sharing protocols in enhancing GWAS effectiveness. By aligning genomics, phenotyping, and breeding, GWAS serves as a transformative approach for developing climate-smart horticultural cultivars. Strengthening global collaboration, expanding diversity panels, and applying advanced analytics are key to building future-resilient food systems.
Copyright (c) 2026 M HAMMAD, U TALIB, A SHER, M SHAFIQ, SHUH SHERAZI https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
MORINGA MEDIATED ZNO NANOPARTICLES: ANTIMICROBIAL, ANTICANCER, AND EMERGING BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS
The production of metal oxide nanoparticles using the plant extracts as a sustainable option compared to traditional chemical methods. Moringa oleifera, abundant in phytochemicals, has attracted recent interest as a biological resource for the production of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). This review analyzes fabrication of ZnO nanoparticles from various parts of M. oleifera, such as seeds, leaves, roots, flowers, and bark exudates, and assesses the impact of phytochemical composition on nanoparticle size, morphology, crystallinity, and biological activity. Nanoparticles range from 10–60 nm and mainly display spherical or hexagonal wurtzite patterns. Nanoparticles from seeds consist of smaller dimensions because of resilient protein-based capping processes, while extracts from leaves are most intensively researched due to high levels of flavonoids and phenolics. The review examines antimicrobial, antifungal, and anticancer activities. Regardless of the promising biomedical potential, gaps still exist in antiviral research, in vivo safety assessments, and uniform synthesis procedures. Future research should focus on translational and mechanistic validation studies to support clinical uses.
Copyright (c) 2026 M ALI, S MANZOOR, A DILAWAR, S YOUNAS, SHUH SHERAZI https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0