Cellular maintenance and development are two fundamental mechanisms regulated by the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway controls a myriad of cellular processes that are essential for normal cell functioning. Cell cycle progression, differentiation, fate determination, and migration are generally orchestrated by canonical Wnt signaling. Altered Wnt/beta-catenin signaling has been considered a promoting event for different types of cancers and the oncogenic potential of Wnt signaling have been discussed in many cancer types, including breast, colon, pancreatic as well as head and neck. Furthermore, Wnt signaling is critical for the maintenance and stemness of both the normal as well as cancer stem cells. This review sheds new light on Wnt signaling and explains how it can regulate normal physiological processes and curtail the development of cancer. It depicts the vital functions of Wnt signaling in the stem cell growth and differentiation by focusing on current druggable targets that have been ascribed by recent studies. Thus, Wnt signaling pathway retains a tremendous potential in eradicating head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Salinity is the leading abiotic stress hampering maize ( Zea mays L.) growth throughout the world, especially in Pakistan. During salinity stress, the endogenous ethylene level in plants increases, which retards proper root growth and consequent shoot growth of the plants. However, certain bacteria contain the enzyme 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, which converts 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (an immediate precursor of ethylene biosynthesis in higher plants) into ammonia and α-ketobutyrate instead of ethylene. In the present study, two Pseudomonas bacterial strains containing ACC-deaminase were tested separately and in combinations with mineral fertilizers to determine their potential to minimize/undo the effects of salinity on maize plants grown under saline-sodic field conditions. The data recorded at 30, 50 and 70 days after sowing revealed that both the Pseudomonas bacterial strains improved root and shoot length, root and shoot fresh weight, and root and shoot dry weight up to 34, 43, 35, 71, 55 and 68%, respectively, when applied without chemical fertilizers: these parameter were enhanced up to 108, 95, 100, 131, 100 and 198%, respectively, when the strains were applied along with chemical fertilizers. It can be concluded that ACC-deaminase Pseudomonas bacterial strains applied alone and in conjunction with mineral fertilizers improved the root and shoot growth of maize seedlings grown in saline-sodic soil.

Direct-seeded rice alternative to transplanted rice system is less labor intensive, easier to plant, and consume less water. The advantages of direct-seeded rice have been proved by many research workers, but yet it is not very much adapted by farmers. Weeds reduce cost effectiveness of direct-seeded rice. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different row spacing and weed management practices on the performance of aerobic rice at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, during summer season of 2013. Fine rice variety ‘Super Basmati’ was used for experiment in a randomized complete block design with factorial arrangements with three replications. Hand drill sowing with row spacing comprised 15 cm, 22.5 cm, and 30 cm was practiced. Weed scouting hoeing (hand pulling is weed free treatment for comparison with the others and hoeing is a type of mechanical weeding) and pre-emergence herbicide, followed by post-emergence herbicide, were the weed management practices. Weeds data and rice yield parameters were measured. Maximum reduction in weed density (86%) and weed dry weight (79%) was recorded for pre-emergence, followed by for post-emergence herbicide in crop sown at 15 cm row spacing.