Evaluation of nanoparticles (NPs) for biomedical applications has received a lot of attention for detailed study on pharmacokinetics prior to clinical application. In this study, pure C-SiO 2 (crystalline silica) NPs and SiO 2 nanocomposites with silver (Ag) and zinc oxide (ZnO) were prepared by utilizing different synthesis routes such as sol−gel and co-precipitation techniques. The prepared NPs showed highly crystalline nature as confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis where average crystallite sizes of 35, 16, and 57 nm for C-SiO 2 , Ag-SiO 2 , and ZnO-SiO 2 NPs, respectively, were calculated. Fourier transform infrared analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups related to the chemicals and procedures used for sample preparation. Due to agglomeration of the prepared NPs, the scanning electron microscope images showed large particle sizes when compared to their crystalline sizes. The optical properties of the prepared NPs such as absorption were obtained with UV−Vis spectroscopy. For in vivo biological evaluation, albino rats, both male and female, kept in different groups were exposed to NPs with 500 μg/kg dose. Hematological, serum biochemistry, histo-architecture, oxidative stress biomarkers, and antioxidant parameters in liver tissues along with various biomarkers for the evaluation of erythrocytes were estimated. The results on hemato-biochemistry, histopathological ailments, and oxidative stress parameters exhibited 95% alteration in the liver and erythrocytes of C-SiO 2 NPs-treated rats while 75 and 60% alteration in the liver tissues of rats due to exposure to Ag-SiO 2 and ZnO-SiO 2 NPs, respectively, when compared with the albino rats of the control (untreated) group. Therefore, the current study showed that the prepared NPs had adverse effects on the liver and erythrocytes causing hepatotoxicity in the albino rats in respective order C-SiO 2 > Ag SiO 2 > ZnO-SiO 2 . As the C-SiO 2 NPs appeared to be the most toxic, it has been concluded that coating SiO 2 on Ag and ZnO reduced their toxicological impact on albino rats. Consequently, it is suggested that Ag-SiO 2 and ZnO-SiO 2 NPs are more biocompatible than C-SiO 2 NPs.

Rhizobia are soil bacteria, characterized by their unique ability to colonize the roots of leguminous crops, where they form nitrogen fixing nodules. Considerable evidence has been accumulated to identify the benefits associated with use of rhizobia as biocontrol agents against soil-borne pathogens, in addition to biological nitrogen fixation. In this study, out of four rhizobial isolates tested, Bradyrhizobium sp. inhibited the radial growth of all the test fungi viz: Macrophomina phaseolina, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum, while other 3 rhizobial isolates inhibited the growth of at least three fungi. Cell free culture filtrates of rhizobia also showed nematicidal activity by killing second-stage juveniles of Meloidogyne javanica at varying degrees. Application of rhizobial isolates alone or in mustard cake amended soil significantly (p<0.05) by suppression of root rotting fungi and root knot nematode on soybean roots. Rhizobia-treated plants showed less penetration of nematodes in roots than untreated control plants. Efficacy of rhizobia was found to increase against nematodes in mustard cake at 1% amended soil. Rhizobia also improved soybean growth by producing taller plants although plants showed poor nodulation. The tallest plant was found in some nitrogen fixing bacteria (NFB) + mustard cake (1%) treatment, but in most cases, the combined application did not offer any added advantage.Planta Daninha 2019; v37:e019172336 PARVEEN, G. et al. Role of rhizobia in suppressing the root diseases of soybean under soil amendment 2 crescimento da soja, produzindo plantas mais altas, embora com nodulação deficiente. A planta mais alta foi encontrada no tratamento com torta de mostarda NFB-1 (1%), mas na maioria dos casos a aplicação combinada não proporcionou nenhuma vantagem adicional.Palavras-chave: bolo de mostarda, rizóbios, soja.

Root diseases caused by root-rotting fungi and root-knot nematodes are a serious problem in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) production throughout the world. Due to constraints in use of Gulnaz Parveen is affiliated with the Agricultural

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One of the common viral pathogens in infectious diarrhea is Rotavirus; in developing countries, it is a primary cause of deaths in children less than five years of age. This study was planned to find out the etiologic agents of acute watery diarrhea. In this study, 1465 stool samples were analyzed with the symptoms of acute diarrhea. Demographic data analysis showed no. of episodes of diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. All samples were checked by ELISA technique for the presence of Rotavirus circulating strains. More than 6% patients were found to be positive with Rotavirus. Common Rotavirus genotypes, including G2P4, G2P6, G3P4, G8P4, G8P6, G9P4, and G10P4, were detected in patients through RT-PCR. This study concluded that detection of rotavirus strain diversity and management of diarrheal patients may identify assortment of emerging strains and reduce emergence of antimicrobial resistance and repeated episodes of diarrhea, which may also help to avoid and manage the essential nutrients lost leading to malnutrition and stunted growth, as well as to reduce high mortality rate in young children less than five years.