Emerging nanotechnology role in the development of innovative solutions against COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 outbreak is creating severe impressions on all facets of the global community. Despite strong measures worldwide to try and re-achieve normalcy, the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to survive sturdy ecological settings may contribute to its rapid spread. Scientists from different aspects of life are working together to develop effective treatment strategies against SARS-CoV-2. Apart from using clinical devices for patient recovery, the key focus is on developing antiviral drugs and vaccines. Given the physical size of the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen and with the vaccine delivery platform currently undergoing clinical trials, the link between nanotechnology is clear, and previous antiviral research using nanomaterials confirms this link. Nanotechnology based products can effectively suppress various pathogens, including viruses, regardless of drug resistance, biological structure, or physiology. Thus, nanotechnology is opening up new dimensions for developing new strategies for diagnosing, preventing, treating COVID-19 and other viral ailments. This article describes the application of nanotechnology against the COVID-19 virus in terms of therapeutic purposes and vaccine development through the invention of nanomaterial based substances such as sanitizers (handwashing agents and surface disinfectants), masks and gowns, amongst other personal protective equipment, diagnostic tools, and nanocarrier systems, as well as the drawbacks and challenges of nanotechnology that need to be addressed.

Effects of oral administration of black seed (Nigella sativa) oil on histomorphometric dynamics of testes and testosterone profile in rabbits.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the influence of oral administration of black seed (Nigella sativa) oil on histomorphometrical characteristics of testes and testosterone profile in adult rabbits. Twenty adult male rabbits aged seven months were divided into two groups: control and treated. Black seed oil was administrated orally for 60 days at 5ml/kg body weight/day on daily basis in addition to the food and water ad lib to the treated group. Biometric parameters of the testes were recorded immediately after their removal. Tissue samples of testes were processed with paraffin tissue preparation technique. Histometrical parameters of testes were measured with the help of automated image analysis software Image J®. Serum testosterone concentration was determined with Radioimmunoassay technique. Statistical analysis revealed significant (P<0.05) rise in weight, length, circumference and volume of testis in treated group than control group. The values of histometrical parameters studied viz., thickness of spermatogenic epithelium, diameter and area of seminiferous tubules, diameter of lumen of seminiferous tubules, number of spermatogenic layers of testes and serum testosterone concentration were found significantly (P<0.05) higher in treated group than control group. Based on the data it is conceivable that the oral administration of black seed oil has potential to stimulate testicular function in adult rabbits.

Toxico-pathological effects of heavy metals from industrial drainage wastewater on vital organs of small ruminants in Lahore.

Considering one health concept, human health is thought to be affected by many factors. Heavy metal toxicity is now gaining its place as one of the major factors contributing to detrimental outcomes for human health. The study encompassed to target sites close to the industrial area of Lahore where heavy metal levels are believed to be higher, as industrial waste is drained into the two main drains. Sheep and goats (n = 5 from each species) reared in the locality were included in the study, and effects of heavy metal toxicity were evaluated in the selected organs (intestine, kidneys, liver, and muscles) via histopathological examination along with residual concentration of these heavy metals in the aforementioned organs. Heavy metals chromium, copper, zinc, lead, iron, magnesium, manganese, and nickel were detected in sample of selected organs by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) along with digestion method. The findings of the study indicated a statistically significant difference of residual concentrations of almost all the selected elements in almost all the tissue samples between the two sites where the values of site 1 (close to the drain) were higher compared with site 2 (away from the drain). Similar trend was depicted in histopathological examination where a higher degree of tissue degeneration, necrosis, and hence organ damage was observed in tissue samples collected from site 1 compared with site 2.

Evidence-Based Tracking of MDR E. coli from Bovine Endometritis and Its Elimination by Effective Novel Therapeutics.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have become the predominant etiology of endometritis and thus require effective treatment approaches. We used ultrasonography coupled with clinical signs and presented complaints of reproductive issues to investigate the epidemiology, phylogenetic analysis, antimicrobial resistance, and development of novel therapeutics against Escherichia coli isolated from endometritis in bovine (n = 304 from 10 commercial dairy farms). The prevalence of bovine endometritis in this study was 43.75%, while among these, 72.18% samples were positive for E. coli. Nucleotide analysis performed through BLAST and MEGAX showed 98% similarity to the nucleotide sequence of the reference E. coli strain (accession number CP067311.1). The disk diffusion assay revealed pathogen resistance to most antibiotics. Pattern of MIC order of resistance was as follows: enrofloxacin < gentamicin < co-amoxiclav < streptomycin < amoxicillin < metronidazole < oxytetracycline. Field trials revealed the highest recovery rate (in terms of clearance of endometritis and establishment of pregnancy) in case of gentamicin + enrofloxacin (100%) and gentamicin alone (100%), followed by co-amoxiclav + gentamicin (84.61%), oxytetracycline alone (78.57%), and metronidazole + enrofloxacin (33.33%). Hence, the current study reported a higher prevalence of multidrug-resistant E. coli showing considerable similarity with reference strain, and finally, the effective response of novel antibiotics to treat cases.

Nonlinear convective stratified flow of Maxwell nanofluid with activation energy.

The aim of present article is to explore the novel aspects of activation energy in nonlinearly convective flow of Maxwell nanofluid driven by nonlinearly stretched inclined cylinder. Generalized forms of Fourier's and Fick's law are utilized through Cattaneo-Christov double diffusion scheme. Maxwell nanomaterial model is used to describe the significant slip mechanism namely known as Brownian and thermophoresis diffusions. Features of double stratification, non-uniform heat generation/absorption, binary chemical reaction and activation energy are considered for present flow problem. Modified Arrhenius formula for activation energy is implemented. The resulting nonlinear system is cracked for series solutions via homotopy technique. Effects of different flow parameters on temperature, nanoparticle volume concentration and velocity fields are examined through graphs and tables. Numerical computations are performed for local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers. Our analysis reveals that nanoparticle concentration is directly proportional to the chemical reaction with activation energy. Moreover stratification variables diminish the temperature and concentration. It is also noticed that higher estimation of Deborah number declines the velocity profile of Maxwell fluid. Numerical outcomes are compared with previous published results and found to be in good agreement for limiting cases of the evolving parameters.

Simulation of magnetic dipole and dual stratification in radiative flow of ferromagnetic Maxwell fluid.

Theoretical investigation is performed to explore the novel aspects of nonlinear thermal radiation and non-uniform heat source/sink for chemically reactive flow of ferromagnetic Maxwell liquid over a permeable stretching sheet. Buongiorno model is employed to include Brownian motion and thermophoresis effects. The novelty of the existing study is to account the effect of binary chemical reaction, viscous dissipation, thermal and solutal stratification for ferromagnetic Maxwell fluid. Governing system of nonlinear partial differential equations is transformed into a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations with the help of apposite similarity transformations. The acquired resulting nonlinear ODEs are solved numerically with the assistance built-in-shooting method (bvp4c). Effects of emanating variables are examined through graphs and tables. It is evident that heat transfer rate enhances with thermal radiation. It is analyzed that temperature upsurges for greater estimations of thermal radiation ( N 1 ∗ ) , ferromagnetic ( ß Ë† 2 ) and thermophoresis ( N ˆ t ) parameters however it declines for Prandtl number (Pr) and thermal stratified parameter (S1). Space and temperature dependent heat sinks are more appropriate for cooling purposes.

Cardioprotective and Metabolomic Profiling of Selected Medicinal Plants against Oxidative Stress.

In this research work, the antioxidant and metabolomic profiling of seven selected medicinally important herbs including Rauvolfia serpentina, Terminalia arjuna, Coriandrum sativum, Elettaria cardamom, Piper nigrum, Allium sativum, and Crataegus oxyacantha was performed. The in vivo cardioprotective potential of these medicinal plants was evaluated against surgically induced oxidative stress through left anterior descending coronary artery ligation (LADCA) in dogs. The antioxidant profiling of these plants was done through DPPH and DNA protection assay. The C. oxyacantha and T. arjuna showed maximum antioxidant potential, while the E. cardamom showed poor antioxidative strength even at its high concentration. Different concentrations of extracts of the said plants exhibited the protection of plasmid DNA against H2O2 damage as compared to the plasmid DNA merely treated with H2O2. The metabolomic profiling through LC-MS analysis of these antioxidants revealed the presence of active secondary metabolites responsible for their antioxidant potential. During in vivo analysis, blood samples of all treatment groups were drawn at different time intervals to analyze the cardiac and hemodynamic parameters. The results depicted that the group pretreated with HC4 significantly sustained the level of CK-MB, SGOT, and LDH as well as hemodynamic parameters near to normal. The histopathological examination also confirmed the cardioprotective potential of HC4. Thus, the HC4 being safe and inexpensive cardioprotective herbal combination could be considered as an alternate of synthetic drugs.

Efficacy of Azadirachta indica (Neem) leaf extract and hypertonic saline solution as intratesticular chemical sterilizing agents in dogs / Eficácia do extrato de folha de Azadirachta indica (Neem) e solução salina hipertônica como agente químico esterilizante intratesticular em cães

Castration refers to induced sterility via physical, chemical, or hormonal methods. Chemical castration is an efficient and reliable technique in contrast to other sterilization procedures as it is less painful to physical methods and cost­effective to hormonal methods. Azadirachta indica (neem), is a charismatic plant as its leaves possess anti­inflammatory, anti­microbial, and anti­androgenic chattels. To abate the escalating human population in South Asia, neem oil and neem leaf extract have been effectively used as a contraceptive agent. The key determinant of the current study was to evaluate Neem as a chemical sterilizing agent, (either necrotic or apoptotic), in dogs injected intratesticular in comparison to a hypertonic saline solution. Pre­ and post­injection testicular width size and blood samples for serum testosterone levels were collected on alternative days. Results disclosed substantial changes in testicular width size, histopathological profile, and serum testosterone level. A non­significant (P > 0.05) pre­injection testicular width readings in contrast to a significant increase (P < 0.05) three days post­injection was noted in all the competitive groups. The mean values recorded for testicular width size at the end of the trial study via neem leaf extract, 30% HSS and, control groups were 27.7362 ± 2.3315mm, 30.9594 ± 4.6861mm, and 24.5023 ± 2.5387mm, respectively. A declining trend, regarding serum testosterone level being statistically significant (P < 0.05) was recorded in treated groups (A, B) in contrast to the control group (C) as the values were 1.5357 ± 0.7819ng, 1.2669 ± 0.9095ng, and 2.4517 ± 0.1827ng in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Histopathological findings advocated the presence of apoptotic bodies in the neem treated group whereas the presence of degenerated interstitial cells, necrosed seminiferous tubules, damaged germinal epithelium, and ceased spermatogenesis was also studied in both competitive groups. Thus, the apoptotic effect and anti­inflammatory property of neem leaf extract resulted in less painful castration and verified Azadirachta indica as a better substitute for chemical castration in contrast to hypertonic saline solution.(AU)

A castração consiste na indução da esterilidade por meio físico, químico ou hormonal. A castração química é uma técnica eficiente e confiável, em contraste com outros procedimentos de esterilização, pois é menos dolorosa para os métodos físicos e econômicos para os métodos hormonais. Azadirachta indica (neem), é uma planta carismática, pois possui folhas anti­inflamatórias, antimicrobianas e antiandrogênicas. Para diminuir a crescente população humana no sul da Ásia, o óleo de nim e o extrato de folhas de nim têm sido efetivamente usados como agente contraceptivo. O principal determinante deste estudo atual foi avaliar o Neem como um agente esterilizante químico (necrótico ou apoptótico) em cães injetados intratesticularmente em comparação com uma solução salina hipertônica. O tamanho da largura testicular pré e pós­injeção e as amostras de sangue para os níveis séricos de testosterona foram colhidas em dias alternados. Os resultados obtidos revelaram alterações substanciais no tamanho da largura testicular, perfil histopatológico e nível sérico de testosterona. Observou­se uma leitura não significativa (P> 0,05) da largura testicular da pré­injeção, em contraste com um aumento significativo (P <0,05) três dias após a injeção em todos os grupos competitivos.Os valores médios registrados para o tamanho da largura testicular no final do estudo via extrato de folhas de nim,HSS a 30% e grupos controle foram 27,7362 ± 2,3315 mm, 30,9594 ± 4,6861 mm e 24,5023 ± 2,5387 mm, respectivamente.Uma tendência decrescente, com relação ao nível sérico de testosterona sendo estatisticamente significante (P <0,05), foi registrada nos grupos tratados (A, B), em contraste com o grupo controle (C), pois os valores eram 1,5357 ± 0,7819ng, 1,2669 ± 0,9095ng e 2,4517 ± 0,1827ng nos grupos A, B e C, respectivamente. Os achados histopatológicos advogaram a presença de corpos apoptóticos no grupo tratado com nim, enquanto a presença de células intersticiais degeneradas, túbulos seminíferos necrosados, epitélio germinativo danificado e espermatogênese interrompida também foi estudada nos dois grupos competitivos. Assim, o efeito apoptótico e a propriedade anti­inflamatória do extrato de folhas de nim resultaram em uma castração menos dolorosa e confirmaram que a Azadirachta indica foi um melhor substituto para a castração química do que a solução salina hipertônica.(AU)