NUST Journal of Natural Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Green Route Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Against MCF-7 Cell Line (Breast Cancer)","authors":"A. Rehman, Awais Shahid Minhas","doi":"10.53992/njns.v6i1.68","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53992/njns.v6i1.68","url":null,"abstract":"Growing nanostructures by green synthesis is an attractive method with a lot of applications, such as antibacterial, anticancer, antifungal and water treatment, etc. Copper oxide nanoparticles have been fabricated using the extract of Aloe Barbandanum, famous with the name of Aloe vera. These nanoparticles are important due to their applications in medical sciences. Structural, optical, compositional, and morphological properties of synthesized nanoparticles were studied and reported here. The phases and crystallite size were determined using X-ray Diffraction and the UV-visb was used to find out the direct bandgap and the absorbance near the visible range. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy spectra confirmed the presence of a strong band of metal oxide near 606 cm-1. Using Scanning Electron Microscope the average grain size was obtained as small as 60 nm. These fabricated CuO NPs were tested for their possible uses against the MCF-7 cell line (breast cancer cells) and results are presented.","PeriodicalId":19373,"journal":{"name":"NUST Journal of Natural Sciences","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86864578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ETHNOBOTANICAL EFFECTS OF ALOE VERA","authors":"Madiha Khan niazi, Farooq Hassan, Kinza Jalal, M. Ismail, Ruba Iftikhar","doi":"10.53992/njns.v6i1.63","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53992/njns.v6i1.63","url":null,"abstract":"Aloe vera is part and parcel of the Liliaceae family. This is one of 250 Aloe Barbadensis species, scientifically known as Aloe Vera. Acemannane, one of the most bioactive polysaccharides of Aloe Vera, has effects of immunity modulation, anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, bone repair, neuroprotection and promotion of intestinal health. The mucilaginous gel in the pulp of aloe vera formed by the parenchymal cells has been used for a variety of curative applications since ancient times. Aloe vera is a nutraceutical product used mostly for decades. It is available in a range of health drinks and wellness beverages, in capsules/tablets and in gels & creams externally. This article includes the bioactive components, extraction and processing of aloe vera and the prospects of tissue engineering. This article highlights important uses as a nutraceutical, medicinal, and therapeutic food potential of A. vera constituents. Aloe vera nutraceutical gel scaffolds, such as acemannan, promote biomedical biomedical and polymeric tissue management. The presence of over 200 phytochemicals was revealed by Aloe vera gel. Aloe vera gel from its leaves is extracted and the stabilisation and preparation of the final products requires adequate processing techniques.","PeriodicalId":19373,"journal":{"name":"NUST Journal of Natural Sciences","volume":"76 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79291570","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Brief Overview for the Development of Herbicide-Resistant Sugarcane Transformation Approaches","authors":"Mohsin Shad, Gulzaib Liaqat, M. Usman, Hamza Zafar, F. Akram, S. Ahmad, Aneeq Ur Rehman, Muhammad Usmaan","doi":"10.53992/njns.v6i1.62","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53992/njns.v6i1.62","url":null,"abstract":"  \u0000Weeds are the undesirable and unwanted plants in the wrong place in a situation that can significantly decrease the yield of desirable plant such as sugarcane. One solution to tackle this problem is the development of herbicide resistant crops like sugar cane that are highly resistant to several herbicides or broad-spectrum herbicides which is done in most cases by genetic transformation, site-directed mutagenesis, and plant breeding. Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is the 2nd vital cash crop of Pakistan, placed at 6th position in world cane acreage and 15th in sugar production. Hence, sugarcane occupies a crucial position in the economy of Pakistan and acts like a backbone in economic development of country. There are several reasons for the lower sugarcane yield in Pakistan but the most important is the large number of weeds that covered most of the area of sugarcane cultivated fields which results in major loss of sugarcane yield in terms of quality and quantity. Broad spectrum herbicide resistant plants are produced to tackle this issue by the insertion of CP4 EPSPS (Glyphosate tolerant gene; 5-enolpyruvulshikimate-3-phosphate synthase from Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain CP4) into sugarcane which provides them the ability to survive after the spray of glyphosate but weeds do not survive in this condition. The most common herbicide resistant technology is Glyphosate resistant technology which gives broad-spectrum weed control feasibility along with the flexibility in the application time of herbicide. There are numerous methods of transformation which are available now-a-days for insertion of foreign DNA into plant cells like Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, micro-projectile bombardment (gene gun) and protoplast transformation. Glyphosate tolerant gene expression is showed by three sugarcane cultivars (CPF-213, SPF-234 and HSF-240). Transgenic sugarcane plants showed these expressions are most stable against herbicide to control weeds. Several farmers in many countries have rapidly and extensively utilized herbicide-tolerant crops due to low production and labour costs, huge profit, increased weed control and many environmental benefits.","PeriodicalId":19373,"journal":{"name":"NUST Journal of Natural Sciences","volume":"176 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85430083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Use of microbial consortium along with biosurfactants in oil sludge treatment","authors":"Tahreem Zaheen, Shumyila Nasir, G. Naz","doi":"10.53992/njns.v5i2.48","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53992/njns.v5i2.48","url":null,"abstract":"Due to the excessive use of various oils, a large amount of oil sludge or waste water is produced annually which is causing various environmental and health issues. Bioremediation through the use of microbial consortium is an effective method. The use of consortium instead of single specie of bacteria has shown 89-94% improved results. However the microbes are still not able to work effectively due to bioavailability issues. This is mainly because of the low solubility of hydrophobic contaminants and microbes. This problem is overcome by use of biosurfactants which enhance the solubility and emulsification of hydrophobic substrates and microbes. These biosurfactants are produced by various organisms (mainly microbes) which are later isolated and used. Certain new and efficient insitu techniques are used for the application of microbial consortium which includes suspended growth, attached growth and hybrid growth. Waste water treated this way can be reused in the refinery procedures or can be dumped safely.","PeriodicalId":19373,"journal":{"name":"NUST Journal of Natural Sciences","volume":"114 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80141863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anemia and its consequences on human body; A comprehensive overview","authors":"Sana Noreen, S. Bashir, Sadia Bano, Tahira Fatima, Affifa Sani, Sehar Imran, Zainab Saeed, Asma Naseer, Rafia Ijaaz, Khadija Riaz, Madiha Khan, Maryam Yaseen","doi":"10.53992/njns.v5i2.49","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53992/njns.v5i2.49","url":null,"abstract":"Anemia is a pathological condition characterized by a reduction in the mass of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin. Anemia affects one-third of the world's population, with iron deficiency accounting for half of the cases. It's a major global public health problem that has an effect on maternal and child mortality, physical fitness, and referral to health-care providers. Underweight children have a greater prevalence of anemia, which can produce long-term developmental outcomes. Particular risk is presented by children 0-5 years, child-bearing mothers and pregnant women. Efforts to avoid anemia should concentrate on improving current supplementary iron and folate programs and on preventing folate and vitamin B12 anemia deficiency. In this review biological mechanism and condition of anemia development has been discussed. A further study is necessary to examine the function of additional nutrient deficits, the contribution of infectious and chronic illnesses in some populations, and the significance of hereditary hemoglobin disorders.","PeriodicalId":19373,"journal":{"name":"NUST Journal of Natural Sciences","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73723665","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analyzing and Identifying the Molecular Targets and Regulators Controlling Cardiac Hypertrophy Progression","authors":"Mohsin Shad, Faisal Sheraz Shah, M. Zulqarnain, Muhammad Usman, Z. Haider, Jahanzaib Azhar","doi":"10.53992/njns.v5i2.47","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53992/njns.v5i2.47","url":null,"abstract":"Cardiac hypertrophy is the major pathway by which neurohormonal and mechanical stimuli act upon cardiomyocytes which gives the response to these stimuli. It leads to heart failure and ventricular dilation which is the main root of mortality in the western world. Many molecular targets are controlling cardiac hypertrophy development which may influence the growth factors signaling, cytokine release and gene expression. Through clinical trials on different models, recent research shows that cardiac hypertrophy might be inhibited or reversed. These findings have developed a vast drive to recognize specific and novel regulators of cardiac hypertrophy. Many molecular targets and signaling modulators have been studied in this review that induce the hypertrophic response which may involve MAPK pathway, oxidative stress, calcineurin, Cardiac angiogenesis, serum protein concentration, microRNA, and periodontitis. For the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy, the scientific knowledge of these signaling pathways and factors may be translated into potential nutritional and molecular therapies for the betterment of this diseases. The current and previous knowledge of molecular markers can be compiled in this review for the treatment of the molecular pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy.","PeriodicalId":19373,"journal":{"name":"NUST Journal of Natural Sciences","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83561659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Computational Screening of Phytochemicals against Munc13-1, a Promising target to treat Alcoholism","authors":"M. Tariq","doi":"10.53992/njns.v5i2.50","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53992/njns.v5i2.50","url":null,"abstract":"In silico analysis and characterization has revolutionized target and drug discovery significantly. Alcohol abuse is a big threat to society, economy and wellbeing of people. It has increased the overall disease and injury burden, globally. Recently, a study revealed a brain protein, Munc13-1 C1 domain to play a significant role in development of alcohol tolerance, by binding to alcohol molecules, eventually leading to Alcohol Use Disorder. The aim of this study was to discover a phytochemical that would attach to our target protein, Munc13-1 C1 domain so that it cannot bind with the alcohol molecules. Munc13-1 3D structure obtained from PDB was docked against a library of compounds by MOE software. Ten phytochemicals based on their binding affinity with the target protein were shortlisted i.e. Tannic Acid, Anemone blue anthocyanin 1, Oolonghomobisflavan B, Diosmin, Oolonghomobisflavan A, Neodiosmin, Blepharocalyxin B, 8-Hydroxyhesperetin, Eupatorin and Monotesone A. However, only 8-Hydroxyhesperetin, Eupatorin and Monotesone A followed Lipinski rules. They were non-toxic and non-carcinogenic according to SwissADME. Moreover, have a good drug-like model score as analysed by Molsoft. Further, in-vivo and invitro examinations are required to inspect their role in reducing alcohol tolerance.","PeriodicalId":19373,"journal":{"name":"NUST Journal of Natural Sciences","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73690809","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Dire Need To Break The Back Of Hepatitis C Virus In KP-Pakistan: A Meta-Analysis","authors":"Ali Zalan, Iftikhar Ud din, Dr. Najeeb Ullah Khan, Saqib Elahi","doi":"10.53992/njns.v5i2.46","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53992/njns.v5i2.46","url":null,"abstract":"Viral Hepatitis is the seventh leading cause of death worldwide and prevails in many developing countries specifically in the Middle East and North African regions. The current study focuses on a comparatively low-income province of Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where medical facilities are scarce and the use of blood and its products, free from viral hepatitis and other pathogens, is poorly ensured. The preliminary phase of the study involved a systematic literature review on the epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus in KP during the period 2000-2018 through PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. After statistical coding, an initial meta-analysis was conducted to come up with an integrated estimate of the prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The prevalence rate of 4% by fixed effect model and of 6% by random effect model is extremely alarming, especially in a low-income region, and the Pakistani government should adopt effective and rapid strategies to eliminate Hepatitis C Virus infection by the end of 2030, as more times announced by the World Health Organization.","PeriodicalId":19373,"journal":{"name":"NUST Journal of Natural Sciences","volume":"69 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83608303","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}