SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

In order to investigate the antioxidant activity of Salvia nemorosa L. collected from Ahar and Urmia regionsin Iran at different growth stages, aerial parts of sage after collecting were dried, and for measurement, the abilityof scavenge DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) radical in different concentrations (0.025, 0.05, 0.07,0.1, 0.2, 0.04 and 0.6) of methanolic extracts were prepared. The result showed that the ability to scavenge DPPHradical and amount of inhibition percent of vegetative stage leaves, flowering stage leaves, and flowers increasedwith increasing concentrations of methanolic extracts from 0.25 to 0.6 mg/mL. In the region of Urmia, the highestamount of DPPH inhibition there was in vegetative stage leaves, and the lowest amount of DPPH inhibition wasseen in flowers. In Ahar regions, unlike the Urmia region, the highest amount of DPPH inhibition there was inflowers, but the lowest of DPPH inhibition was seen in flowering stage leaves. Also, the content of inhibition ofDPPH in Ahar and Urmia regions similarly increased between two phenological stages (vegetative stage leaves,flowering stage leaves, and flowers) in 0.4 mg/mL and 0.6 mg/mL concentrations.

Background: This study explores the potential use of biomass residues from soybean pressing via static pyrolysis to produce carbonaceous materials for pesticide adsorption. It emphasizes concerns regarding the environmental impact of agroindustrial waste and the persistent nature of pesticides in soil and water systems. Aims: To investigate the efficacy of biochar obtained from soybean waste in adsorbing pesticides. Specifically, to analyze the gas products generated during pyrolysis and characterize the obtained carbonaceous material for its adsorption capabilities. Methods: Soybean residue underwent static pyrolysis at various temperatures and durations. Gas analysis utilizing FTIR spectroscopy identified the gaseous products generated during the pyrolysis process. The obtained biochar underwent successive washes and characterization through FTIR spectra comparison with commercial activated carbon. Through absorption assays, using UV-VIS spectroscopy, investigations were conducted on the solid biocarbon fractions to evaluate their capacity for absorbing pesticides. Results: Gas Analysis: The study revealed the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and highlighted the prevalence of mono-carbon compounds with increased temperature and pyrolysis time. The analysis demonstrated consistent carbon mass percentages across different reaction conditions. Characterization of Biochar: Comparison with activated carbon indicated structural similarities with heightened intensity in certain bands, suggesting the presence of incomplete cellulose cracking in the obtained biochar. Regarding the Chlorothalonil, Atrazine and DIcamba remotion, notably, the concentration of Chlorothalonil in a 7:3 water: acetonitrile solution decreases by 77 % through adsorption on the carbons. Discussion: The investigation examined the adsorption efficiency of the biochar for Chlorothalonil, Atrazine, and Dicamba from aqueous solutions. Chlorothalonil exhibited substantial retention by the biochar, while Atrazine showed comparatively lower adsorption effectiveness. Remarkably, Dicamba did not demonstrate retention by either the biochar or activated carbon. Conclusion: The study underscores the potential of pyrolyzed soybean waste for pesticide adsorption, particularly highlighting Chlorothalonil's strong affinity with the carbonaceous structure. Further research is needed to optimize adsorption properties and explores potential enhancements of these materials through additional treatment methods, offering promising avenues for environmental remediation.

The article reviews the chemical composition of borehole and surface waters in three villages of one of the regions of Georgia - Kakheti, Gurjaani Municipality. The study was specifically focused on iodine content in waters. It turned out that certain amount of iodine really existed in borehole waters, which means that by everyday drinking of water, the human body gets maybe not the complete required amount of iodine, but at least some part of it. It was also discovered, that according to certain parameters, waters are clean, do not contain heavy metals and can be freely used for drinking and cooking. The chemical composition of the Alazani River was also examined according to all four seasons. This river is interesting because of being used for irrigation of vineyards and fruit gardens.

Sugar beet is a crop able to resist high levels of soil salinity after emergence and establishment. Considering the significant difference in the effect of nitrogen forms on sugar beet performance under normal conditions, the form of nitrogen may affect the performance of sugar beet plants under abiotic stress, particularly salinity. Additionally, exploring the most appropriate type of nitrogen for sugar beet could mean optimizing sucrose content. Therefore, here using two lines, sugar beet was grown in pots (filled with 4 kg soil), salt-resistance (line 7233- p.29 x Mst), and salt-sensitive (line 3929-21939), the effect of two different forms of nitrate in the form of calcium nitrate (1 g per pot) and ammonium in the form of ammonium sulfate (1 g per pot) under normal and salt stress condition (40 Millimoles per liter sodium chloride) were evaluated. The result revealed the positive influence of nitrate over ammonium by indicating higher dry weight in both sensitive line: 19.2 and 13.6 g, and tolerance line: 20.4 and 13.6 g, respectively alone and in combination with salinity stress. Similarly, root yield levels positively influenced by nitrate treatment either alone or under salinity stress (sensitive line: 194.5 and 243.2 g and tolerance line: 207 and 249.5 g). The outcomes additionally showed the accumulation of proline aerial parts in both lines, and however, the proline accumulation of sensitive line was higher (3.9 mg/g dry weight). Moreover, induction of proline aggregation was considerably higher in nitrate nitrogen-treated sensitive line (9.3 mg/g dry weight). The absence of significant difference was obseved between nitrogen treatments in terms of extractable sucrose and root molasses sugar. Also, the root impurities increased in those treated with nitrate-nitrogen and salinity. It can be concluded that nitrate-nitrogen has improved the performance of both sugar beet lines against salinity stress, and its practical application is adviseable.

Background: Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) appears in individuals asymptomatically and in various symptomatic forms. Symptomatic diversity can result in diagnosis failures, hospitalization, admission to intensive care, multi-organ failure, and death. The causes and risk factors of the severity of disease symptoms are uncertain. This uncertainty can only be resolved by elucidating the effects of host genes and genetic variations on different phenotypes. Aim: This review aimed to emphasize the importance of large-scale genotype-phenotype correlation studies in elucidating the phenotypic diversity in COVID-19 disease. Methods: All publications related to Phenome-Wide Association Study (PheWAS) in the PubMed database were searched. PheWAS studies applied to COVID-19 patients have been identified. In addition, studies applied to the genome-wide association study (GWAS)- Electronic health records (EHRs) data and additionally matched to the gene expression data were systematically reviewed. The latest PheWAS methodology and its importance in Large-scale genotype-phenotype correlations are discussed within the context of published COVID-19 studies. Results: According to our PubMed search data, there are few PheWAS studies on COVID-19 disease. This review explains the use of PheWAS studies applied to health records and GWAS data, and colocalization studies applied to expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis to understand the phenotypic variability of COVID-19. Discussion; Although there is a very limited number of PheWAS studies on COVID-19 diseases, these studies have obtained important data. At the current stage, there is a need for such studies in COVID-19 research. Conclusions: PheWAS is an ideal method for large-scale genotype-phenotype correlation studies that can reveal genetic diversity and phenotypic diversity in the pathophysiology of the disease.

Background: Antibiotic resistance is currently one of the biggest problems in public health. Infectious diseases are the second human death cause, and the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria increases mortality and morbidity rates. There is a growing clinical need for the development of new antibiotics. In this line, WHO issued an alert about 12 bacteria with an urgent need to develop new antibiotics. Aims: This review aims to analyze the current knowledge of their antibacterial activity against the gram-positive pathogens listed by WHO and their extraction techniques. Methods: We systematically reviewed the literature in PubMed, searching publications describing the use of natural extracts as antibiotics over bacteria. The exclusion criteria consisted of limiting papers on natural extracts tested over the bacteria culture related to eleven selected bacteria, according to an alert issued by WHO in 2017, and seven plant extracts. Results: All the gram-positive bacteria present in the WHO alert have been treated, with different degrees of advance, with some of the plant extracts and plant-based compounds reviewed. Currently, they are in the preclinical stage. Edible herbs are more often used, as well as artemisia and wine byproducts. Discussion: Natural products based on plants have shown to be efficient in inhibiting bacterial growth, even in antibiotic-resistant strains. The classical extraction methods are still in use and have been improved with the available technology to improve efficiency and yield. Conclusions: Ongoing evidence shows that plant extracts and plant-based compounds are effective as antibacterial, with minimal effects on the host cell, a promising antibiotic source. Furthermore, they are sustainable, environmentally friendly, and renewable.