Critical Reviews in Biotechnology and Life Sciences
Critical Reviews in Biotechnology and Life Sciences is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published by ELEVATE EDUCATIONAL & RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SMC-PRIVATE) LIMITED. The journal publishes high-quality review articles and original research papers in the fields of biotechnology, life sciences, and related disciplines. It focuses on the latest advancements, emerging trends, and key challenges in these areas, providing a platform for researchers and professionals to critically evaluate and synthesize significant developments. Publication Frequency: Semi-Annual
ELEVATE EDUCATIONAL & RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SMC-PRIVATE) LIMITED
REMOTE SENSING APPLICATIONS IN CROP MONITORING: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
The dynamic development of the Earth Observation (EO) data and the development of remote sensing technologies have radically transformed the process of monitoring crops on local and regional, as well as global scales. Remote sensing has become a very instrumental tool in crop monitoring and in aiding food security, yield estimation and agro climatic analysis and in agricultural policy planning. Despite significant proliferation of the satellite platforms and machine learning techniques, there is no synthesis between the pixel-wise crop mapping processes and functionality crop-specific land cover products. This literature gap is filled in with the systematic literature review where over 60 open-access operation datasets and peer-reviewed articles are analyzed in accordance with a systematic PRISMA-based method. It is analyzed in terms of satellite platforms, data fusion plans, classification algorithms and operation crop mapping products. Findings have indicated a high reliance on the multispectral sensors such as Landsat and Sentinel-2 and an increased use of radar and hyperspectral sensors is on the increase. The popular machine learning algorithms (including the Random Forest and Support Vector machines) are not as effective as deep learning models on large scale and high-resolution problems. Multi-source data fusion is highly significant in the enhancement of classification strength, and model generalization. However, ground truth data availability, inter-agro ecological zone model transferability and multi sensor dataset harmonization remain a problem. The paper also exposes the current trends that are taking place towards scalable deep learning systems and products of operational crop specific land cover but mentions the significant research gaps. In general, the review is a systemic summary of the history of technologies, evolution of approaches, and working implementation, which will inform the further research and the widespread implementation of the remote sensing-based crop surveillance systems.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE–ENHANCED CARDIAC SIGNAL PROCESSING FOR PREDICTING ARRHYTHMIA RISK IN HEART FAILURE PATIENTS
The paper will analyze the effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced cardiac signal processing in predicting patients with heart failure at risk of arrhythmia. The proposed system uses a general pipeline which adds additional noise removal, feature detection, and machine-learning classification to classify high-resolution video of ECG recordings to identify the early signs of electrophysiological abnormalities associated with ventricular arrhythmias. Quantitative findings indicate that deep learning architectures (particularly CNN-LSTM), achieved much higher predictive accuracy, sensitivity and specificity in contrast to traditional cardiac risk-scoring systems. The system was able to identify nonlinear patterns of heart-rate variability, repolarization abnormalities and micro-level waveform abnormalities that enable arrhythmia to develop, therefore making it possible to make premature and more accurate risk-classifications. The models of AI also demonstrated that they could be used consistently in a clinical setting since they were effective with diverse groups of patients. The findings indicate that AI-driven cardiac analytics may enhance the real-time observation, assist physicians with judgment, and reduce the possibility of sudden cardiac death in individuals with heart failure. The study forms a strong foundation on the integration of smart ECG-based predictive algorithm into modern cardiology practice.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hammad Ur Rehman, Muhammad Waqar Ali (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
NEUROBEHAVIORAL CORRELATES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS: A CROSS-DISCIPLINARY INVESTIGATION
One of the most popular mental health disorders is anxiety disorders. They have a huge impact on how individuals live and the level at which they perform their activities in day to day life. The proposed project aims to explore the neurobehavioural basis of the anxiety disorders through a multidisciplinary method, i.e. neuroimaging, behavioural assessments and genetic examination. We used a sample of people with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD) and panic disorder (PD) to conduct a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to determine the brain activity patterns associated with anxiety stimuli. In addition, the assessments of behavioural reactions were performed based on the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), with genetic effects being examined through DNA sequencing, with a focus on the genes related to the control of neurotransmitters. These findings showed the continuation of changes in the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and insular regions, which were characterised by heightened activity to threat-related stimuli. In addition, behavioural evidence portrayed a massive connection between neural pertinence and the severity of anxiety symptoms, specifying that there was a hereditary inclination to altered neurobehavioural responses in anxiety disorders. This paper contributes to a better understanding of the brain-behavior relationship during the anxiety condition, which allows developing specific therapy approaches to use neurobiological and genetic knowledge.
Copyright (c) 2025 Abdul Waheed Shah, Ezza Fatima (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
IMAGING-PATHOLOGIC CORRELATION IN PREOPERATIVE TUMOR STAGING: A RADIOLOGIC PERSPECTIVE
Staging a tumor properly before the surgery is crucial to make a decision on ways to treat the tumor, predict the effectiveness of treatment and make the optimal surgical plan. This study has cautiously evaluated the relationship of multimodal radiologic imaging such as contrast enhanced computer tomography, high resolution magnetic resonance imaging, and targeted ultrasonography, and subsequent histopathological outcome of a heterogeneous group of solid tumors. The results showed that MRI had the best overall sensitivity (up to 92%) in assessing the extent of local tumors, particularly when it involved soft-tissue dominant cancers, but that CT had a better specificity (87) in detecting regional nodal involvement. Ultrasonography displayed moderate accuracy but presented important real time characterisation of the superficial lesions. Pathologic analysis revealed that in 18% of cases, imaging had slightly underestimated microscopic tumor infiltration, and in 9% cases, excessive extraregional dissemination, which showed the need to integrate morphologic and functional imaging biomarkers and histologic validation. The general consensus of the imaging and pathological staging was over 80%. Tumors with clear margins and minimal stromal invasion were observed to be the best agreement. These results highlight the crucial role of imaging-pathologic correlation in enhancing diagnostic assurance, maximising preoperative staging procedures and enabling precision-based clinical decision-making during oncologic care.
Copyright (c) 2025 Zia Ur Rehman, Mashal Shahzadi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
GENETIC INFLUENCES ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS IN PEDIATRIC POPULATIONS
Genetic bases of developmental disorders in paediatric populations are becoming more pronounced; although the extent to which variations in individuals influence clinical severity, neurocognitive outcomes, and comorbidity patterns is still undefined. This paper has discussed the genetic architecture of common paediatric developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), global developmental delay (GDD), and language impairment and has used a mixed-method approach, which combines whole-exome sequencing (WES), targeted single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping, and clinical phenotype analysis. Pathogenic or potentially pathogenic variations were identified in 38.4% of the paediatric patients (n=1,200 age 2 to 12 years) and the highest prevalence was found in global developmental delay (52.1%), and autism spectrum disorder (44.7%). The common high-impact variants were related to the genes that control synaptic signalling (SHANK3, SCN2A), neuronal migration (RELN), chromatin remodelling (CHD8), and metabolism (PAH). Polygenic risk scores, however, showed that common low-effect variants had significant contributions in both ADHD and language disorders. Quantitative data showed that there were strong correlations between mutation burden and severity of symptoms (r = 0.63, p < 0.001), and increased odds of multisystem comorbidities among children with copy-number changes (OR = 3.24, 95% CI: 2.114.98). Further, the phenotype-genotype modelling showed that children with mutations of the synaptic pathways had much lower indexes of cognitive performance compared with children with regulatory-region alternatives. Overall, it was found that both rare high-impact and common polygenic variants have a large influence on the development of children, which demonstrates the importance of both clinical and genomic tests and early initiation of personalised treatments.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Asadullah Usman, Irum Habib (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CHILDHOOD OBESITY AND METABOLIC SYNDROME: AN INTERDISCIPLINARY PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY STUDY
Increased metabolic syndrome (MetS) in pediatrics has been caused by obesity in children, which currently poses a significant global social health hazard. It is an interdisciplinary research work that intends to explore the correlation between development of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and childhood obesity in terms of the influence of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. It was done in 500 children between the age of 6 to 16 with a body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose, lipid profile and insulin resistance. We conclude that an increase in BMI has been highly correlated with the early onset of MetS as determined by high percentage of waist to hip and non-characteristic lipid profile and the indicators of insulin resistance among the children. We have also found out that poor eating habits, lack of physical exercises and the family history of obesity were all important risk factors of MetS among the obese children. The results indicate that an early intervention based on dietary changes and physical exercise is important in enhancing the health related problems in the long-term. The conclusions of these results are that paediatric endocrinologists, nutritionists, and physical therapists should collaborate to counter childhood obesity and its metabolic effects.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hiba Qureshi, Ali Haider (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE ROLE OF POLLUTION-INDUCED OXYGEN DEFICIENCY IN CAUSING NAIL DYSTROPHY AND SYSTEMIC HEALTH ISSUES IN CHILDREN
This study investigates the impact of pollution-induced oxygen deficiency on nail dystrophy and systemic health issues in children, with a focus on the role of environmental pollutants in exacerbating dermatological and physiological health conditions. We conducted a cohort study involving children aged 5 to 12 years from both high-pollution and low-pollution areas, assessing nail health, oxygen saturation, and respiratory function. The results revealed a significant correlation between high exposure to air pollutants, such as particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), and the prevalence of nail dystrophy, including symptoms such as nail discoloration, brittleness, and abnormal growth patterns.Children in polluted areas exhibited lower blood oxygen levels together with impaired breathing functions compared to those living in regions with low pollution levels. The findings demonstrate that children might develop skin and systemic illnesses due to oxygen deficits caused by environmental pollution. Longitudinal follow-up data showed better air quality led to reduced health problem severity particularly with nail dystrophy due to which air quality regulation stands vital for disease prevention. The researchers demonstrate that nail dystrophy functions as a warning sign which signals stress from environmental factors and health system deterioration which mandates investigation into pollution effects and protective laws for dangerous substance exposure.
Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
HEAVY METAL BIOACCUMULATION IN WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS AND ITS EFFECTS ON AVIAN REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
This study investigated the extent of heavy metal bioaccumulation in wetland ecosystems and its consequential effects on avian reproductive biology. Comprehensive environmental sampling across multiple wetland sites revealed elevated concentrations of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) in both sediments and water, with spatial variability linked to proximity to industrial discharge and agricultural runoff. Temporal analysis indicated heightened metal levels during the wet season, likely due to enhanced runoff dynamics. Bioaccumulation assessments identified Typha latifolia and Phragmites australis as key phytoremediators due to their high uptake of chromium, arsenic, and mercury, while benthic macroinvertebrates demonstrated significant metal burdens, facilitating trophic transfer to higher-order consumers. Avian blood, feathers and eggs contained heavy metals over the thresholds considered hazardous to animals. These levels were also related to lower numbers of eggs laid, fewer eggs that hatched and a lower chance of birds surviving until they fledged. Examination of the liver and kidneys of birds affected by chronic metal exposure showed damage to cells and signs of oxidative stress. Statistical models revealed strong links between high metal levels in the environment and reproductive difficulties found in people. The results underline how heavy metal pollution endangers birdlife and weakens wetland habitats, so experts need to introduce strategies such as controlling sources of pollution and planting pollution-reducing plants. This research gives important understanding of how biodiversity can be protected in contaminated aquatic environments and supports the creation of policies to do so.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Asif , Muhammad Umer Farooq, Israruddin (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ROLE OF T-CELL SUBTYPES IN PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS SKIN MANIFESTATIONS
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease marked by both joint involvement and characteristic skin manifestations, with T-cell-mediated immune dysregulation playing a central role in its pathogenesis. This study aimed to delineate the immunopathological landscape of psoriatic skin lesions by characterizing the distribution, phenotype, and function of key T-cell subtypes. Skin biopsy samples from PsA patients and healthy controls were analyzed through immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, multiplex cytokine assays, and qRT-PCR. Our results revealed a pronounced increase in Th17 and tissue-resident memory T (Trm) cells—both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺—in psoriatic lesions compared to normal skin. This cellular profile was accompanied by significantly elevated levels of IL-17A, IL-22, and TNF-α, with fold increases exceeding 5-fold for IL-17A and IL-22. Gene expression analyses demonstrated upregulation of RORC and IL17A, supporting the dominant activation of the Th17 pathway. In vitro stimulation assays identified IL-23 as the most potent inducer of IL-17 and IL-22 secretion from lesional T cells, reinforcing the centrality of the IL-23/IL-17 axis. Conversely, regulatory T cells (Tregs) were underrepresented in psoriatic plaques, indicating a failure of immune suppression. These findings collectively suggest that an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and regulatory T-cell subsets sustains chronic skin inflammation in PsA. This study provides robust immunological evidence supporting the targeting of Th17 and Trm cells as therapeutic strategies and underscores the need for treatments aimed at restoring immune equilibrium in psoriatic disease.
Copyright (c) 2025 Syeda Iram Batool, Rabia Nasir, Shazia Khalid (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
VACCINE-INDUCED T-CELL MEMORY: SINGLE-CELL RNA-SEQ PROFILING IN POST-VACCINATION LYMPH NODES
The development of long-lasting vaccine-induced immunity relies on the generation and maintenance of memory T cells, a process that remains incompletely understood at the single-cell level. In this study, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to profile the transcriptional landscape of T cells within lymph nodes at multiple time points following vaccination. Our analysis revealed a dynamic shift from naïve to effector and memory T cell phenotypes, accompanied by significant transcriptional reprogramming. Notably, genes such as IL7R, CD44, and CXCR3 were upregulated in memory T cells, indicating their roles in survival, tissue homing, and immune readiness. Pathway enrichment analysis identified the activation of TCR signaling, cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, and NF-κB pathways, all of which are critical for effective immune priming and differentiation. Clonotype tracking found strong TCR expansion, while analysis of cytokines proved that IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF-α were all upregulated, representing optimal effector activity. Moreover, increases in PD-1 and LAG-3 which indicate exhaustion responses, were detected in later stages of the illness, suggesting the start of regulatory feedback. Analysis with ATAC-seq data demonstrated higher accessibility of DNA at critical memory gene locations, suggesting that several genes are controlled together by an organized system of changes to DNA and its activity. All of these results combined make a broad atlas of T cell memory after vaccines. They also identify unique molecular changes that can improve both the current and new vaccines and immunotherapies.
Copyright (c) 2025 Saad Abdullah , Rizwan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
USING WILD PLANT EXTRACTS FOR ANTIPARASITIC TREATMENT IN DOMESTIC LIVESTOCK: A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH
Over use of synthetic anthelmintics by cattle farmers has rendered drugs ineffective and has impacted negatively on the environment. This implies that there are alternative long-term approaches to parasites which we have to seek. The paper investigates the capacity of wild(common) plants normally employed in ethnoveterinary medicine to kill parasites. It is doing so with a mixed-methods approach of combining qualitative survey techniques with experimental parasitology. The researchers interviewed 60 livestock custodians and traditional healers in agro-pastoral regions in order to discover which wild plants were the most commonly used. The five most mentioned species were obtained using water, methanol, and ethanol as solvents. We then compared them with gastrointestinal nematodes in vitro test (EHIT) and in vivo (FECRT) with naturally infected goats and sheep. The findings indicated that methanolic extracts of Plant A and Plant B prevented over 80 percent of eggs to hatch and reduced over 70 percent fecal egg count. It implies that they possess significant anthelmintic potential. The phytochemical test indicated presence of alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids. The regression analysis also indicated that there were significant correlations between the amount of phytochemicals and the effectiveness. Qualitative analysis of the datas showed that plant-based medicines are not rejected within the society and culture, their use is perceived to be very effective and sustainable, except there were issues on receiving the proper dose of study drugs. These findings confirm what people have already realized and indicate that wild plant-derived medicines can prove good alternatives to the synthetic drugs. Based on a One Health perspective, this research takes the side of applying native customs in contemporary veterinary models so as to enhance better health of animals in a manner that is sustainable.
Copyright (c) 2025 Saeed Ullah, Muhammad Anwar Baloch, Aftab Ahmed, Shahid Iqbal (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EVALUATING CLONAL HEMATOPOIESIS IN THE ELDERLY AND RISK OF HEMATOLOGIC MALIGNANCY
Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) is an increasingly recognized age-associated phenomenon in which a substantial proportion of hematopoietic cells derive from a single mutated stem cell. This study investigates the prevalence, genetic landscape, and malignancy risk associated with CH in the elderly, while also exploring the interconnection between CH and cellular senescence. A comprehensive secondary analysis of recent genomic and clinical studies was conducted, focusing on elderly cohorts. Our findings reveal a strong age-dependent rise in CH prevalence, reaching 38.6% in individuals aged 80 and above. The most frequently mutated genes included DNMT3A (38.5%), TET2 (29.2%), and ASXL1 (17.8%), with mutation burden positively correlating with malignancy risk. Notably, a variant allele frequency (VAF) above 20% was associated with a 25.6% probability of developing hematologic malignancies, underscoring clone size as a critical prognostic indicator. Concurrently, aged hematopoietic stem cells exhibited significantly elevated levels of senescence markers such as p16, IL-6, and MMP-3, implicating the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in disrupting the bone marrow microenvironment. Figures and simulations reinforced the biological plausibility of these findings, illustrating pronounced shifts in inflammatory and stress-related markers in aged tissues. The study suggests that CH and senescence operate synergistically to compromise hematopoietic homeostasis and elevate oncogenic risk. These insights advocate for routine genomic and inflammatory profiling in elderly individuals to enable early detection and risk stratification. Furthermore, targeting senescent cells with emerging senolytic therapies may offer a novel preventative strategy against age-related hematologic malignancies. Collectively, the results highlight the importance of integrating CH monitoring and senescence modulation into the future framework of geriatric hematologic care.
Copyright (c) 2025 Critical Reviews in Biotechnology and Life Sciences https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
AUXIN-MEDIATED MODULATION OF VEGETATIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS IN SWEET PEAS
This study investigated the influence of foliar-applied indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), a common auxin, on the vegetative and reproductive performance of sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus L.). The experiment comprised five treatments with IAA applications of 0-100 mg L⁻¹. Results revealed significant improvements in growth and yield traits with accumulative IAA levels up to 75 mg L⁻¹. The 75 mg L⁻¹ treatment recorded the highest plant height (85.6 cm), number of branches (7.4), and leaf area (65.3 cm²), along with early flowering (42.3 days), maximum number of flowers (21.2), and pods per plant (11.6). In contrast, the highest concentration (100 mg L⁻¹) caused slight reductions in most traits, suggesting a possible inhibitory effect beyond the optimal auxin threshold. The control treatment consistently produced the lowest values across parameters. The findings confirm that moderate auxin doses can enhance sweet pea growth, flowering, and pod development, potentially benefiting ornamental and seed production.
ASSESSING THE ROLE OF AIR POLLUTION ON OXYGEN SUPPLY AND ITS IMPACT ON NAIL HEALTH IN MINORS
This study investigates the impact of air pollution on oxygen supply and its subsequent effects on nail health in minors. With increasing concerns over environmental pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO), it is crucial to understand their systemic effects, particularly in vulnerable populations like children. The research aims to examine the correlation between air pollution exposure, oxygen saturation levels, and nail health deterioration in minors residing in urban areas with varying pollution levels. Results demonstrate a significant negative correlation between pollution levels and oxygen saturation (SpO₂), with children in high-pollution areas exhibiting a marked reduction in SpO₂ compared to those in low-pollution environments. Children from high-pollution zones disclosed an average SpO₂ reading at 92% while children from low-pollution areas maintained 97%. The study indicates that children show higher numbers of nail deformed effects such as discolouration and brittleness when their oxygen saturation is below 95%. Health problems affecting nails appeared more frequently in heavily polluted regions where 45% of children experienced them rather than low pollution areas with only 15% experiencing similar issues. Healthy nails require sufficient oxygen flow because decreased oxygen levels generate noticeable signs of organ dysfunction according to the study. Environmental contamination produces effects on respiratory health and simultaneously affects overall systemic well-being as demonstrated by peripheral tissue health in fingernails. This research delivers valuable information about enduring health effects from air pollution on children along with highlighting regulatory strategies to enhance air quality as pediatric health protection methods.
IMPROVING SPINACH PRODUCTIVITY AND MINERAL UPTAKE WITH AUXIN-BASED FOLIAR TREATMENT
Auxin plays a crucial role in plant growth regulation, influencing cell elongation, nutrient uptake, and overall biomass accumulation. This study appraised the effects of auxin foliar application on spinach growth, physiological traits, and nutrient uptake in a controlled laboratory experiment at Gomal University, Soil Science Department. Five treatments included 0-200 mg L⁻¹ a uxin levels. The 150 mg L⁻¹ treatment significantly enhanced all the growth, physiological and biomass accumulation parameters. However, excessive auxin (200 mg L⁻¹) led to slight reductions. Auxin also improved nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake. These results suggest that foliar-applied auxin can enhance spinach productivity and nutrient efficiency. Further field studies are needed to optimize its practical application.
THE IMPACT OF HORMONAL IMBALANCE ON ENDOCRINE DISORDERS: FOCUS ON THYROID AND ADRENAL GLANDS
Hormonal imbalances in the thyroid and adrenal glands are increasingly recognized as significant contributors to a wide range of endocrine disorders, with profound implications for metabolic and physiological health. This study explores the impact of thyroid and adrenal dysfunction, focusing on the interrelationship between these two glands, and examines the role of environmental factors and lifestyle behaviors in exacerbating hormonal imbalances. Through a mixed-methods approach, this research combines a comprehensive literature review with primary data collected from clinical case studies and patient surveys. The research reveals that thyroid disorders create a substantial casual connection to adrenal hormone issues since hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism events contribute to adrenal deficiency and cortisol control problems. Major environmental factors that worsen thyroid and adrenal conditions consist of stress together with endocrine-disrupting toxins. The development of these disorders primarily initiated through lifestyle choices that involved improper eating habits together with poor sleep quality. The study highlights an important clinical requirement because it establishes that treating both environmental factors along with hormonal imbalances leads to better patient results. Investigational findings validate existing research by showing how hormonal feedback mechanisms affect one another between thyroid hormones and adrenal glands. The study results demonstrate that complete endocrine diagnosis and prevention requires physicians to consider physical as well as environmental aspects of thyroid and adrenal imbalances.
Copyright (c) 2024 Abdus Salam, Dr Arslan Khan, Hassan Yar Mahsood (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS OF FOLIAR NITROGEN AND BASAL FERTILIZATION ON RICE PHYSIOLOGY AND GRAIN YIELD
Congenital malformations, particularly those involving vascular anomalies, have been increasingly recognized as a risk factor for childhood cancers. This study investigates the role of aberrant blood vessel development in mediating cancer risk among infants with congenital malformations, focusing on tumors in the foot and head regions. A cohort of 82 infants with vascular anomalies, including hemangiomas, kaposiform hemangioendotheliomas, and tufted angiomas, was examined. The study assessed angiogenic marker levels, genetic mutations, and tumor progression over a 12-month period. Baseline analysis revealed elevated levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A), angiopoietin-2, and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), with mean VEGF-A levels of 312.4 pg/mL. The tumours followed three separate patterns of growth as 46% of tumours sustained their size while 30% continued to increase and 6% developed new cancerous tissue inside six months. Genetic studies revealed TEK along with PIK3CA and RASA1 which make up 28%, 22% and 13.4% of genes altered for angiogenesis. Analysis through correlation techniques indicated that VEGF-A levels in progressing tumours were substantially higher compared to stable tumours according to the r = 0.67 (p < 0.001) correlation coefficient value. The analysis through multivariate logistic regression produced two substantial predictors of tumour progression that included both VEGF-A (OR = 2.31, p = 0.001) and TEK mutations (OR = 1.95, p = 0.004). The study findings show that particular genetic mutations together with new blood vessel formation influence tumor expansion during infancy among children born with blood dysfunctions. Research findings present vital molecular evidence about why early diagnosis combined with genetic testing and specialized cancer treatment methods are essential to control malignancies in these vulnerable populations through our analysis.
CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS AND CANCER RISK: THE ROLE OF BLOOD VESSEL DEVELOPMENT IN BABIES WITH FOOT AND HEAD TUMORS
IMPACT OF TUMOR-DERIVED CYTOKINES ON MUSCLE FUNCTION AND BRAIN HEALTH IN CANCER PATIENTS
Cancer-associated inflammation is increasingly recognized as a key driver of systemic complications that extend beyond tumor burden, particularly affecting skeletal muscle function and cognitive health. This study investigated the impact of tumor-derived cytokines on neuromuscular and neurocognitive outcomes in a longitudinal cohort of 100 patients with advanced solid tumors. Participants were assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months for serum cytokine levels (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10), handgrip strength, and brain function via memory index scores derived from MRI-based cognitive evaluations. Research data indicated that handgrip strength declined slowly during twelve months whereas cognitive scores displayed a significant downturn. IL-6 displayed the most significant connection to poor cognitive and physical scores among tested participants (r = -0.59 for muscular strength and r = -0.53 for cognitive performance scores). IL-1β exhibited weak negative associations between measures while IL-10 demonstrated relieving tendencies. The detected inflammatory cytokines inside tumors create a multisystem illness that results in both cognitive decline and muscular deterioration. The results from our study support the existing evidence showing that cancer-related neuroinflammation creates a shared inflammatory process which leads to neuromuscular dysfunction. This study demonstrates that inflammatory evaluations and neuromuscular tests must become standard components in standard oncology practices. Conducting treatments that bypass cytokines through pharmacology and nutrition and motion activities could represent viable treatment solutions for lowering these burdens. These findings reveal new aspects regarding cancer-related decline mechanisms and create opportunities for developing combined therapies to improve physical functions and brain health in oncology patients.
ENHANCING RICE GROWTH AND YIELD THROUGH NITROGEN SOLUTION FOLIAR APPLICATION
Nitrogen (N) is a crucial macronutrient that enhances vegetative growth, chlorophyll synthesis, and overall crop productivity. A pot culture experiment was conducted at the Agriculture Research Institute, Dera Ismail Khan, during the 2020 growing season to appraise the special effects of foliar-applied nitrogen on rice growth and rice yield. Treatments encompassed 0 (control), 1-4% urea solutions (N) applied at two different stages i.e., tillering and panicle initiation. Results showed that 3% foliar-applied nitrogen significantly enhanced plant height (105.2 ± 2.3 cm), tiller count (6.8 ± 0.4 plant⁻¹), leaf area index (4.2 ± 0.3), chlorophyll content (50.1 ± 1.6 SPAD), photosynthetic rate (18.7 ± 0.6 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹), transpiration rate (5.2 ± 0.3 mmol H₂O m⁻² s⁻¹), stomatal conductance (0.41 ± 0.02 mol H₂O m⁻² s⁻¹), biomass accumulation (42.5 ± 2.1 g plant⁻¹), and grain yield (18.6 ± 1.2 g plant⁻¹). However, at 4% nitrogen, slight reductions were observed in some parameters, suggesting potential toxicity at higher concentrations. These findings suggest that 3% foliar-applied nitrogen is optimal for improving rice productivity under controlled conditions.
THE ROLE OF CHRONIC INFLAMMATION IN CANCER CACHEXIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR MUSCLE WASTING AND COGNITIVE DECLINE
Cancer cachexia is a complex metabolic syndrome marked by involuntary weight loss, systemic inflammation, skeletal muscle atrophy, and increasingly recognized cognitive decline. This study aimed to investigate the role of chronic inflammation as a central mediator of both muscle wasting and neurocognitive impairment in patients with advanced-stage malignancies. In a prospective, longitudinal cohort of 100 cancer patients meeting clinical cachexia criteria, we evaluated inflammatory biomarkers (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, CRP), muscle mass via DEXA scanning, and cognitive performance using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months. Our results demonstrated significant and progressive declines in muscle mass (mean loss of 4.7 kg) and cognitive scores (mean MoCA reduction of 4.2 points) over the 12-month period. Elevated inflammatory markers were consistently and inversely correlated with both clinical outcomes; IL-6 showed the strongest association with muscle loss (r = -0.62) and cognitive decline (r = -0.52).The repeated metrics ANOVA showed statistically significant outcomes during the time period (p < 0.001). The regression modeling indicated IL-6 and CRP as independent threat factors for progressive deterioration of muscle and cognitive functions after controlling variables like age alongside tumor type and therapy type. The obtained data supports research demonstrating that systemic inflammation generates both neuroinflammatory conditions and muscle wasting effects in the cancer patient population. This study advances existing knowledge simultaneously through analysis of both physical and cognitive aspects under the same inflammatory experimental method. The results demonstrate the acute necessity for integrated inflammatory treatment strategies to preserve physical function in addition to cognitive abilities of cancer patients. The study introduces foundations for future treatment developments while demonstrating the requirement of routine inflammatory profiling with cognitive assessments during cachexia clinical treatment.
Copyright (c) 2024 Syeda Iram Batool, Younas Rehman (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0