Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play an essential part in transformation, solubilization, and mobilization of nutrients procured from the soil. Plant-microbe interaction can be termed as an eco-friendly approach which not only improves plant growth but helps in sustaining the soil and prevents environmental degradation from agrochemicals. PGPR improve plant growth through various mechanisms. One of the mechanisms involved is phytohormone production by the bacterial strains. In the current study, spectral analysis of thirteen already isolated and identified auxin-producing microbial strains (AAL1, AB8, A7B, A5C, A3E, A11E, AL2, A9G, A12G, A13G, AM10, P4, and S6) was carried out. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of the bacterial IAA exhibited close structural similarity between bacterial IAA and standard IAA. The growth-enhancing capability of strains was verified through the application of these strains on Triticum aestivum seedlings and enhancement of growth was statistically analyzed which indicated remarkable improvement in growth and metabolism both under laboratory and field conditions. Several bacterial isolates also proved to be very effective in improving biochemical parameters of plants. The current study suggested that the application of IAA-producing PGPR as biofertilizer is effective in enhancing plant growth as well as plant yield.

Objectives: To determine serum levels of lipoprotein(a) in the local population, its relationship with other parameters of lipid profile and statins’ response to lipoprotein(a). Method: The cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at the Pak-Emirates Military Hospital and Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from March 2018 to March 2019, and comprised healthy controls in group I, persons with hyperlipidemia without medications in group II, and diagnosed cases of hyperlipidemic on statin therapy in group III. The samples were studied using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assasy for lipoprotein(a) estimation, and an automated chemistry analyser for lipid profile estimation. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. Results: Of the 90 subjects with a mean age of 43±5 years, 30(33.3%) were in each of the three groups. Mean body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein were significantly different among the groups. Lipoprotein(a) level was not correlated with statins (p>0.05), but had a positive correlation with low-density lipoprotein. Conclusion: Lipoprotein(a) was found to be raised even in the absence of dyslipidemia, and it was controversially raised with statin therapy. Lipoprotein(a) can very well be regarded as an independent risk factor for all the known complications of hyperlipidemia. Key Words: Hyperlipidemia, BMI, Statins, Lipid profile, Lipoprotein(a).