Harnessing nature's arsenal: Ochrobactrum bacteria metabolites in the battle against root- knot nematode - Insights from in vitro and molecular docking studies.

Agricultural Productivity and plant health are threatened by the root-knot nematode. The use of biocontrol agents reduces the need for chemical nematicides and improves the general health of agricultural ecosystems by offering a more environmentally friendly and sustainable method of managing nematode infestations. Plant-parasitic nematodes can be efficiently managed with the use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), which are widely used biocontrol agents. This study focused on the nematicidal activity of the secondary metabolites present in the bacteria Ochrobactrum sp. identified in the EPN, Heterorhabditisindica against Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita). Its effect on egg hatching and survival of juveniles of root- knot nematode (RKN) was examined. The ethyl acetate component of the cell-free culture (CFC) filtrate of the Ochrobactrum sp. bacteria was tested at four different concentrations (25 %, 50 %, 75 % and 100 %) along with broth and distilled water as control. The bioactive compounds of Ochrobactrum sp. bacteria showed the highest suppression of M. incognita egg hatching (100 %) and juvenile mortality (100 %) at 100 % concentration within 24 h of incubation. In this study, unique metabolite compounds were identified through the Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, which were found to have anti- nematicidal activity. In light of this, molecular docking studies were conducted to determine the impact of biomolecules from Ochrobactrum sp. using significant proteins of M. incognita, such as calreticulin, sterol carrier protein 2, flavin-containing monooxygenase, pectate lyase, candidate secreted effector, oesophageal gland cell secretory protein and venom allergen-like protein. The results also showed that the biomolecules from Ochrobactrum sp. had a significant inhibitory effect on the different protein targets of M. incognita. 3-Epimacronine and Heraclenin were found to inhibit most of the chosen target protein. Among the targets, the docking analysis revealed that Heraclenin exhibited the highest binding affinity of -8.6 Kcal/mol with the target flavin- containing monooxygenase. Further, the in vitro evaluation of 3- Epimacronine confirmed their nematicidal activity against M. incognita at different concentrations. In light of this, the present study has raised awareness of the unique biomolecules of the bacterial symbiont Ochrobactrum sp. isolated from H. indica that have nematicidal properties.

Serial quantification of CRP and total leukocyte count as a complementary tool in neonatal sepsis.

Early detection and appropriate treatment of newborn sepsis reduce mortality and morbidity. A rapid, inexpensive laboratory approach is needed to assess newborn sepsis, even though blood culture is the gold standard for diagnosis. To compare serial CRP and Total Leukocyte Count (WBC) with blood culture, this study aimed to evaluate the role of newborn sepsis. A total 148 neonates with clinical symptoms of sepsis were included .CRP was measured by quantitative immuno turbidimetric method andotal leukocyte count (WBC) was measured by automated cell counter. CRP1 and WBC1 were measured within 6 hours of clinical symptoms. CRP2 and WBC2 were measured after 48 hours of clinical symptoms. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV of CRP1 and CRP2,WBC 1and WBC 2 were compared with culture positive and negative sepsis.CRP 2 showed high sensitivity 96% and high NPV95% with significant p value <0.0001. WBC2 has high sensitivity (90.57%) and NPV (91%) with significant p value <0.0001. CRP 1 has sensitivity 83%and NPV 82.3%, with p value < 0.001.WBC1 has lowest sensitivity (62.2%) and NPV (71.4%) compared to all other parameters. Serial CRP and WBC measurements are useful in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Measurement of CRP and Total Leukocyte Count (WBC) after 48 hours of clinical symptoms were considered promptly for diagnose neonatal sepsis.

Pichia kudriavzevii-a potential soil yeast candidate for improving soil physical, chemical and biological properties.

Soil yeasts exhibit an array of beneficial effects to plants viz., plant growth promotion, phosphate solubilization, nitrogen and sulphur oxidation, etc. Yeasts remain as poorly investigated group of microorganisms that represent an abundant and dependable source of bioactive/chemically novel compounds and potential bioinoculants. Hence this study holds the key concept of assessing the performance of soil yeasts with potential plant growth promoting ability in soil quality improvement. Sixteen soil yeast isolates with plant growth promoting traits were assessed for biofilm forming potential and five potential soil yeast isolates were selected and identified through molecular technique. Soil incubation study was performed with these isolates to assess their impact on soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Due to inoculation of soil yeasts, notable changes were observed in soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Among the soil yeast isolates, Pichia kudriavzevii gave better results in soil incubation study.

Supramolecular networks and Hirshfeld surfaces of oxydiacetic acid and iminodiacetic acid salts.

Oxydiacetic acid (Oda) and iminodiacetic acid (Ida) have been combined with two diamines, namely ethylenediamine (en) and o-phenylenediamine (o-phen), to give three molecular crystals of compositions [(Oda2-)(en2+)]·H2O (Odaen), [(Ida-)(0.5en+)] (Idaen) and [(Oda-)(o-phen+)] (Odaophen). Single crystal X-ray structure determination of the three molecular salts revealed that the hydrogen bonding interactions form distinct supramolecular chains. In Odaen, water molecules and Oda2- anions generate one-dimensional supramolecular chains where two chains overlap each other in zigzag form. In Odaophen, Oda- anions generate a one-dimensional linear supramolecular chain. In Idaen, both intermolecular and intramolecular proton transfer occurs. Ida- anions generate a one-dimensional zigzag chain. These one-dimensional supramolecular chains extend to form different two-dimensional supramolecular chains by the interaction of diaminium and monoaminium cations. Intermolecular close contacts are also examined using Hirshfeld analysis to reveal similarities and differences in the crystal structures.

Hydrogen-bonded assemblies in the molecular crystals of 2,2'-thiodiacetic acid with ethylenediamine and o-phenylenediamine.

Carboxylate molecular crystals have been of interest due to the presence of hydrogen bonding, which plays a significant role in chemical and crystal engineering, as well as in supramolecular chemistry. Acid-base adducts possess hydrogen bonds which increase the thermal and mechanical stability of the crystal. 2,2'-Thiodiacetic acid (Tda) is a versatile ligand that has been widely explored, employing its multidendate and chelating coordination abilities with many metals; however, charge-transfer complexes of thiodiacetic acid have not been reported. Two salts, namely ethylenediaminium 2,2'-thiodiacetate, C2H10N22+·C4H4O4S22-, denoted Tdaen, and 2-aminoanilinium 2-(carboxymethylsulfanyl)acetate, C6H9N2+·C4H5O4S-, denoted Tdaophen, were synthesized and characterized by IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In these salts, Tda reacts with the aliphatic (ethylenediamine) and aromatic (o-phenylenediamine) diamines, and deprotonates them to form anions with different valencies and different supramolecular networks. In Tdaen, the divalent Tda2- anions form one-dimensional linear supramolecular chains and these are extended into a three-dimensional sandwich-type supramolecular network by interaction with the ethylenediaminium cations. However, in Tdaophen, the monovalent Tda- anions form one-dimensional zigzag supramolecular chains, which are extended into a three-dimensional supramolecular network by interaction with the 2-aminoanilinium cations. Thus, both three-dimensional structures display different ring motifs. The structures of these diamines, which are influenced by hydrogen-bonded assemblies in the molecular crystals, are discussed in detail.