Chromium (Cr) toxicity significantly threatens sunflower growth and productivity by interfering with enzymatic activity and generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Zinc quantum dot biochar (ZQDB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have become popular to resolve this issue. AMF can facilitate root growth, while biochar tends to minimize Cr mobility in soil. The current study aimed to explore AMF and ZQDB combined effects on sunflower plants in response to Cr toxicity. Four treatments were applied, i.e. NoAMF + NoZQDB, AMF + 0.40%ZQDB, AMF + 0.80%ZQDB, and AMF + 1.20%ZQDB, under different stress levels of Cr, i.e. no Cr (control), 150 and 200 mg Cr/kg soil. Results showed that AMF + 1.20%ZQDB was the treatment that caused the greatest improvement in plant height, stem diameter, head diameter, number of leaves per plant, achenes per head, 1000 achenes weight, achene yield, biological yield, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content and oleic acid, relative to the condition NoAMF + No ZQDB at 200 mg Cr/kg soil. A significant decline in peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) while improvement in ascorbate peroxidase (APx), oil content, and protein content further supported the effectiveness of AMF + 1.20%ZQDB against Cr toxicity. Our results suggest that the treatment AMF + 1.20%ZQDB can efficiently alleviate Cr stress in sunflowers.

Cannabinoids are a group of bioactive compounds abundantly present in Cannabis sativa plant. The active components of cannabis with therapeutic potential are known as cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are divided into three groups: plant-derived cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids), endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids), and synthetic cannabinoids. These compounds play a crucial role in the regulation various physiological processes including the immune modulation by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (A complex cell-signaling system). Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) stimulates the binding of orexigenic peptides and inhibits the attachment of anorexigenic proteins to hypothalamic neurons in mammals, increasing food intake. Digestibility is unaffected by the presence of any cannabinoids in hemp stubble. Endogenous cannabinoids are also important for the peripheral control of lipid processing in adipose tissue, in addition to their role in the hypothalamus regulation of food intake. Regardless of the kind of synaptic connection or the length of the transmission, endocannabinoids play a crucial role in inhibiting synaptic transmission through a number of mechanisms. Cannabidiol (CBD) mainly influences redox equilibrium through intrinsic mechanisms. Useful effects of cannabinoids in animals have been mentioned e.g., for disorders of the cardiovascular system, pain treatment, disorders of the respiratory system or metabolic disorders. Dietary supplementation of cannabinoids has shown positive effects on health, growth and production performance of small and large animals. Animal fed diet supplemented with hemp seeds (180 g/day) or hemp seed cake (143 g/kg DM) had achieved batter performance without any detrimental effects. But the higher level of hemp or cannabinoid supplementation suppress immune functions and reduce productive performance. With an emphasis on the poultry and ruminants, this review aims to highlight the properties of cannabinoids and their derivatives as well as their significance as a potential feed additive in their diets to improve the immune status and health performance of animals.

In alkaline soil conditions, the availability of essential nutrients for plant growth becomes limited, posing a significant challenge for achieving optimal maize growth and yield. Exploring the impact of biochar and waste irrigation on soil alkalinity and maize production in arid regions has received limited attention. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of three levels of acidified biochar (0, 5, and 10 Mg ha−1) in two growing seasons of maize—spring and autumn. The treatments were applied following a randomized complete block design with three replications. Biochar was applied only in the autumn season, and its residual effects were evaluated in the spring season. The study found that using acidifying biochar at a rate of 10 Mg ha−1 significantly increased maize yield by 35.8% compared to no application and by 16.4% compared to a rate of 5 Mg ha−1. In the autumn, applying acidified biochar at 10 Mg ha−1 reduced soil pH by 3.65% and 6.41% compared to 0 and 5 Mg ha−1. In the spring, the same application led to a decrease in soil pH by 5.84% and 7.37% compared to the lower rates. Additionally, using 10 Mg ha−1 of acidifying biochar increased soil phosphorus concentration by 87.6% and soil potassium concentration by 38.0% compared to not using biochar, and by 46.2% and 35.0% compared to the 5 Mg ha−1 application. These findings suggest that the reduction of soil pH by applying biochar at a rate of 10 Mg ha−1 facilitated an increase in nutrient availability in the soil, consequently leading to higher maize yield. Notably, no significant differences were observed in maize productivity and soil properties between the spring and autumn seasons. Therefore, this study paves the way for further exploration into the long-term effects of acidifying biochar on maize productivity and soil properties in similar agroecological contexts.

The effect of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) treatment at two concentrations (1 mM or 5 mM) on papaya fruit stored at 4°C and 80%-90% relative humidity for 5 weeks was investigated. The application of GABA at 5 mM apparently inhibited chilling injury, internal browning, electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phospholipase D (PLD), and lipoxygenase (LOX) activities of papaya fruit. Fruit treated with 5 mM GABA enhanced the activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). In addition, GABA treatment significantly displayed higher levels of proline, endogenous GABA accumulation, phenolic contents, and total antioxidant activity than the nontreated papaya. The results suggested that GABA treatment may be a useful approach to improving the chilling tolerance of papaya fruit by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing the defense system.

Detecting and diagnosing viral infections in animals play a pivotal role in ensuring the health and well-being of both domesticated and wild species. The study investigates diagnostic methods for detecting viral infections in a diverse animal population (n=300). Employing serological assays, molecular diagnostics, point-of-care testing, and advanced imaging technologies, the research explores sensitivities and specificities of each method. Molecular techniques, particularly PCR and NGS, exhibit consistent high performance, while point-of-care testing and imaging technologies offer practical on-site applications. Demographic considerations enrich the findings, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. This study contributes to refining veterinary diagnostic strategies and advocates for integrating artificial intelligence to address global disparities in diagnostic accessibility.

Concentrated goat milk products are attracting more and more attention in the food industry. This research was performed to investigate the effects of different levels of vacuum evaporation concentration pretreatment on the physicochemical characteristics and in vitro digestion of fermented goat milk (FGM). Concentrated FGM showed higher contents of protein, fat and total solids, longer fermentation time, higher viscosity, increased yellowness vision and enhanced texture characteristics, while exhibited smaller average casein micelle sizes compared to pristine FGM samples. Meanwhile, concentration pretreatment improved the titratable acidity, water holding capacity, emulsion and microbial stability of concentrated FGM as compared with unconcentrated control during 21 days of storage at 4 °C. Principal component analysis showed that the overall quality improvement of FGM was greatest at a concentration gradient of 25% (v/v). FGM with higher concentration gradient exhibited lower protein digestibility and degree of hydrolysis, while higher antioxidant capacities at the end of gastrointestinal digestion than those of control. Heatmap further suggested that CFGM showed better physicochemical and organoleptic characteristics than unconcentrated FGM. This study provided a theoretical reference for industrial processing of novel FGM products with compacter structure, better storage stability, stronger antioxidant capacity and higher consumer's acceptability by vacuum-assisted evaporative concentration.

The main purpose of the current study was to assess the levels of trace elements (iron, lead, zinc, copper, and manganese) in both water and fish muscles of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in the Kunhar River during the development of the Suki Kinari hydropower project (SKHPP). Additionally, the aim was to shed light on the potential health hazards associated with the consumption of fish by residents. Surface water and fish (muscle and liver) from ten specific sampling locations in the Mansehra district (affected by an SKHPP) along the river were examined to determine the levels of trace elements. The findings divulged that the water at all locations exhibited concentration levels of iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and manganese (Mn) that surpassed the benchmarks established by the World Health Organization in 2011. Conversely, the concentration levels of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) fell beneath the stipulated standards. Moreover, the concentrations of Mn, Zn, and Pb were found to be excessively high. The findings presented in the present study offer a comprehensive comprehension of the spatial and distribution characteristics of trace elements in both water and fish species along the Kunhar River, taking into consideration the impact of the SKHPP. Additionally, our data emphasize the potential health hazards that may arise from the prolonged consumption of fish by the local population.