Several recent studies have shown that citric acid/citrate (CA) can confer abiotic stress tolerance to plants. Exogenous CA application leads to improved growth and yield in crop plants under various abiotic stress conditions. Improved physiological outcomes are associated with higher photosynthetic rates, reduced reactive oxygen species, and better osmoregulation. Application of CA also induces antioxidant defense systems, promotes increased chlorophyll content, and affects secondary metabolism to limit plant growth restrictions under stress. In particular, CA has a major impact on relieving heavy metal stress by promoting precipitation, chelation, and sequestration of metal ions. This review summarizes the mechanisms that mediate CA-regulated changes in plants, primarily CA’s involvement in the control of physiological and molecular processes in plants under abiotic stress conditions. We also review genetic engineering strategies for CA-mediated abiotic stress tolerance. Finally, we propose a model to explain how CA’s position in complex metabolic networks involving the biosynthesis of phytohormones, amino acids, signaling molecules, and other secondary metabolites could explain some of its abiotic stress-ameliorating properties. This review summarizes our current understanding of CA-mediated abiotic stress tolerance and highlights areas where additional research is needed.

Positive association between skipping breakfast and overweight and obesity is globally observed regardless of cultural diversity among countries. A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on a total of 426 urban adults, who were randomly selected in a nutrition counseling center of Dhaka city, Bangladesh. The objective of this study was determining the association between breakfast skipping and obesity risk in urban adults of Bangladesh. Results indicated that approximately 35.2% of the sample skipped breakfast. Gender was the only statistically significant sociodemographic variable, with females skipping at two times the rate of males (OR 95% CI: 1.9; 1.3-2.9). Obesity was detected among 39.5% of breakfast skippers and they showed significantly high prevalence (X 2 =30.15, p<0.05). Skippers were significantly more likely being obese (OR 3.5; 95% CI 2.2-5.5) and obesity was more prevalent in female skippers (X 2 =8.7, p<0.05), with three times more compared to male skippers (OR 95% CI: 2.8; 1.4-5.9). Breakfast skipping is highly prevalent among urban adult population with significant association of obesity in Bangladesh. Health promotion strategies should be used to encourage all adults to eat breakfast regularly.

In recent years, global warming, drought and little rain, forest fires, forest destruction and other human disturbances have had an important impact on the habitat environment of birds, affecting the number and quality of bird habitats, directly threatening the survival and reproduction of birds, leading to a sharp decline in the diversity of bird species. In this study, the PKK National Park (18˚14'-18˚32'N; 102˚38'-102˚59'E), Laos was used as a research site. The birds and their habitats in the park were used as research objects. The species, quantity and distribution of birds were investigated. In addition, the distribution of vegetation and the relationship between bird's community and habitat types in PKK National Park were studied. Species diversity and Abundance of birds at PKK National Park, was monthly assessed by point count method between January and December 2018. A total of 117 species of birds belonging to 43 families and 18 orders were found in the inspection areas. Among them, Passerine birds (60 species) and Non-Finches (57 species) were almost equal to each other, accounting for 51.3% and 48.7% of total birds species respectively. Again, Anseriformes birds account for the largest number amongst Non-Passeriformes, reaching 15 species, followed by Falconiformes, accounting for 20.5% of total. On the other hand, based on migratory habits, resident birds were found to be highest in our research site which account for 35.04% of total birds and followed by Summer Migratory birds (32.28%), Passage Migrant (23.93%) and Winter Migratory birds (6.83%). Through the quantitative measurement and analysis of various parameters, the focus is on the diversity of birds and species in the park. Further, the factors that can affect species diversity, especially the bird's survival factors such

In Bangladesh, the lightning during a thunderstorm has recently been officially declared as natural disaster, resulting in numerous fatalities each year, especially in the country's northeast. This study aims to look into the relationships between lightning and climatic variables, the spatial distribution of deaths, people's perceptions of the disaster's consequences and adaptation measures, and the influencing factors that make people victims in Sunamganj District. Several statistical approaches, such as descriptive statistics, correlation, and the Mann-Kendall Test, were used to meet the study objectives by examining time series data of climatic variables, lightning events, and household survey data. The data imply that lightning strikes have a positive and statistically significant relationship with climatic variables such as temperature, rainfall, humidity, and air pressure. Moreover, that lightning strikes may become more common in the future as climatic variables increase. The perceived consequences of lightning strikes include disruption of human life, injury, damage and or burning of environmental and infrastructural elements, etc. Going outside during a thunderstorm and/or remaining outside during a thunderstorm are the primary factors contributing to a tragic accident. Those who were engaged in income-generating activities during the monsoon, like agricultural operations such as Boro Rice farming and fishing, were the most vulnerable to this hazard. Therefore, several adaptation strategies, including house safety and facilitating emergency shelter; assisting victim families for recovery and rehabilitation; travelling in covered vehicles during a thunderstorm; and disseminating knowledge about proper lightning safety measures, outside movement during a thunderstorm, and first aid information for initial treatment through awareness building campaign should be implemented to reduce the number of casualties.

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