A novel metabolite of Streptomyces coeruleorubidus exhibits antibacterial activity against Streptococcus agalactiae through modulation of physiological performance, inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis, and oxidative stress-correlated gene expressions in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Using the unique structures found in natural materials to produce new antibacterial drugs is crucial. Actinobacteria is well-known for its ability to produce naturally occurring chemicals with a variety of structural features that can be used as weapons against infectious bacteria. In the present study, the Streptomyces coeruleorubidus metabolites were characterized and their efficacy in suppressing Streptococcus agalactiae growth was carried out both in vitro and in vivo. The metabolites of S. coeruleorubidus were purified and identified as octasiloxane-hexadecamethyl (OHM). In vivo antibacterial activity of OHM revealed an inhibitory minimum concentration value of 0.5 µg/ml against S. agalactiae and induced ultrastructural cell changes revealed by scanning electron microscope. The safe concentration of OHM was determined as 0.8 mg/L for Nile tilapia. Four in vivo treatments were treated with 0 and 0.8 mg/L OHM and with or without challenge by S. agalactiae (1 × 107 CFU/mL) named control, OHM, S. agalactiae, and S. agalactiae + OHM groups. The OHM treatment improved the survival of Nile tilapia by 33.33% than S. agalactiae challenge group. Waterborne OHM treatment significantly mitigated the deleterious effects of S. agalactiae on hematological, hepato-renal functions, stress indicators, and antioxidant balance. OHM significantly alleviated nitric oxide levels, complement 3, IgM, and lysozyme activity, downregulation of liver antioxidant genes expression in S. agalactiae group. Furthermore, the addition of OHM to challenged fish with S. agalactiae-significantly reversed dramatic negative regulation of inflammatory, apoptosis, and immune related gene expression (caspase-3, bax, pcna, tnf-α, ifn-γ, il-8 il-1ß, il-10, tgf-ß, and bcl-2 in the Nile tilapia spleen. Additionally, the damaged hepatic and splenic structure induced by bacterial infection was restored with OHM treatment. Finally, S. coeruleorubidus metabolites (mainly OHM) revealed in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity and showed alleviated effects on the physiological status of S. agalactiae infected tilapia.

Essential bioactive competence of laminarin (ß-glucan)/ laminaran extracted from Padina tetrastromatica and Sargassum cinereum biomass.

Marine algae-based drug discovery has recently received a lot of attention. This study was conducted to extract laminarin-enriched solvent extracts from Padina tetrastromatica and Sargassum cinereum and to evaluate their anticancer activity against the HeLa cell line in vitro (MTT assay). Furthermore, their toxicity was determined through a zebra fish model study. P. tetrastromatica and S. cinereum biomasses have a higher concentration of essential biomolecules such as carbohydrates, protein, and crude fiber, as well as essential minerals (Na, Mg, K, Ca, and Fe) and secondary metabolites. Methanol extracts, in particular, contain a higher concentration of vital phytochemicals than other solvent extracts. The laminarin quantification assay states that methanol extracts of P. tetrastromatica and S. cinereum are rich in laminarin, which is primarily confirmed by FTIR analysis. In an anticancer study, laminarin-MeE from P. tetrastromatica and S. cinereum at concentrations of 750 and 1000 µg mL-1 demonstrated 100% activity against HeLa cells. The Zebra fish model-based toxicity study revealed that the laminarin-enriched MeE of P. tetrastromatica and S. cinereum is non-toxic. These findings revealed that the laminarin-enriched MeE of P. tetrastromatica and S. cinereum has significant anticancer activity without causing toxicity.

Pathological characterization and management of Lasiodiplodia theobromae, a hemi-biotroph with an interkingdom host range.

Heart rot disease, caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae, is destructive for date palms and other woody plants. The disease was reported in several oasis in Egypt, and the pathogen was found in association with infected trees suffering die-back and rachis blight. Seven phylogenetically distinct fungal isolates were selected, and their pathogenicity was confirmed on date palms. The isolates exhibited variable degrees of virulence on inoculated leaves, which confirms the variation. We examined the antifungal effect of microbial bioagents and plant extracts on heart rot disease. The isolates of Trichoderma spp. gave moderate reduction of the pathogen's linear growth (40-60%), while their exudates were ultimately ineffective. Bacillus spp. isolates, except for B. megaterium, were more effective against spore germination as they gave 80-90% reduction on average. Among the examined plant extracts garlic sap gave 98.67% reduction of linear growth followed by artemisia (15.5%) and camphor (24.8%). The extraction methods greatly influenced the antifungal efficiency of each extract as exposure to organic solvents significantly decreased the efficiency of all extracts, while hot water extraction negatively affected garlic sap only. Successful bioagents and plant extracts were further assayed for the suppression of heart rot disease on date palms. Both T. album and T. harzianum gave comparable degrees of suppression as by commercial fungicides. In addition, treatment before or during pathogen inoculation was the most effective as it significantly enhanced the expression of defense-related enzymes. Our findings suggest bio-pesticides possessing a dual role in disease suppression and defense boosters for date palms suffering heart rot disease.

Textile effluents decolourization potential of metal tolerant Aspergillus species and optimization of biomass concentration and temperature.

This research was performed to assess the physicochemical properties of textile effluents collected from different sampling points (industrial park, Hosur, Tamil Nadu, India) and also evaluate the multiple metal tolerance efficiency of pre-isolated Aspergillus flavus. Moreover, their textile effluent decolourization potential was investigated and quantity and temperature required for effective bioremediation was optimized. About 5 textile effluent samples (S0, S1, S2, S3, and S4) were collected from various sampling points and noted that certain physicochemical properties (pH: 9.64 ± 0.38, Turbidity: 18.39 ± 1.4 NTU, Cl-: 3185.38 ± 15.8 mg L-1, BOD: 82.52 ± 6.9 mg L-1, COD: 342.28 ± 8.9 mg L-1, Ni: 74.21 ± 4.31 mg L-1, Cr: 48.52 ± 18.34 mg L-1, Cd: 34.85 ± 1.2 mg L-1, Zn: 25.52 ± 2.4 mg L-1, Pb: 11.25 ± 1.5 mg L-1, Hg: 1.8 ± 0.05 mg L-1, and As: 7.1 ± 0.41 mg L-1) were beyond the permissible limits. The A. flavus, showed remarkable metal tolerance to Pb, As, Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd, Hg, and Zn on PDA plates with elevated dosage up to 1000 µg mL-1. The optimal dosage required for effective decolourization was found as 3 g (48.2%) and compare to dead biomass (42.1%) of A. flavus, the viable biomass showed remarkable decolourization activity on textile effluents in a short duration of treatment process. The optimal temperature for effective decolourization by viable biomass was found at 32 ᵒC. The toxic effects of S4 samples treated at 32 ᵒC on O. sativa as well as brine shrimp larvae were significantly reduced. These findings show that pre-isolated A. flavus viable biomass can be used to decolorize metal-enriched textile effluent. Furthermore, the effectiveness of their metals remediation should be investigated using ex-situ and ex-vivo approaches.

An in-vitro evaluation of antifungal, anti-lungcancer (A549), and anti-hyperglycemic activities potential of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) flower extract.

The medical plant research has received more attention among researchers especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. This research performed to evaluate the antifungal, anti-lung cancer (A549), and anti-hyperglycemic activities of aqueous extract of Andrographis paniculata flower. Interestingly, A. paniculata flower aqueous extract contains pharmaceutically valuable phytochemicals such as alkaloid, phenolics, terpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, and protein. It also showed fine antifungal activity against test fungal pathogens in the following order as: Aspergillus niger > Fusarium solani > Trichoderma harzianum > A. parasiticus > P. expansum > Penicillium janthinellum with lowest MIC values as ranged from 100 to 300 µg mL-1. Interestingly, this aqueous extract also showed considerable anti-lung cancer activity, evidenced by dose and time dependent lung cancer cell line (A549) growth/proliferation inhibition/cytotoxicity activity (65%) at 300 µg mL-1 concentration. This can be achieved by plant extract through inducing the secretion of apoptosis related proteins such as TNF α, IFN-γ, and interleukin 2 leads to apoptosis in A549 cells. It also showed fine anti-diabetic activity by inhibiting α -amylase (58.41%) than α-glucosidase (54.74%) at 200 µg mL-1 concentration. The UV as well as FTIR results demonstrated that the aqueous extract of A. paniculata flower contains pharmaceutically valuable bioactive compounds, which may be responsible for the wide range of biomedical applications.

High efficiency lipid production, biochar yield and chlorophyll a content of Chlorella sp. microalgae exposed on sea water and TiO2 nanoparticles.

This study explores the challenges facing microalgae biofuel production, specifically low lipid content and difficulties with algal cell harvesting. The purpose of the research is to investigate the effect of seawater content and nanoparticle concentration on freshwater microalgae growth and biofuel production. The principal results of the study show that increasing the proportion of seawater and nanoparticles enhances the lipid content and cell diameter of microalgae, while excessive concentrations of nanoparticles and low seawater content lead to reduced microalgae growth. Furthermore, an optimal cell diameter was identified at a nanoparticle concentration of 150 mg/L. The study also reveals that increasing seawater content can decrease zeta potential and increase chlorophyll a content due to the concentration of dissolved organic matter. Increasing the seawater content from 0% to 25% decreased zeta potential by 1% owing to the instability and aggregation of the cells. Chlorophyll a for the 0% seawater was 0.55 which is increased to 1.32 only due to the increase in the seawater content. This significant increase is due to the concentration of dissolved organic matter in seawater. Additionally, the presence of seawater positively affects microalgae metabolic activity and biochar yield. The findings of this study offer valuable insights into the potential for optimizing microalgae biofuel production. The use of seawater and nanoparticles has shown promise in enhancing microalgae growth and biofuel yield, and the results of this study underscore the scientific value of exploring the role of seawater and nanoparticles in microalgae biofuel production. Further research in this area has the potential to significantly contribute to the development of sustainable energy solutions.

Molecular Dynamic Analysis of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumonia's Porin Proteins with Beta Lactam Antibiotics and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles.

To prevent the rapidly increasing prevalence of bacterial resistance, it is crucial to discover new antibacterial agents. The emergence of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Enterobacteriaceae has been associated with a higher mortality rate in gulf union countries and worldwide. Compared to physical and chemical approaches, green zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO-NP) synthesis is thought to be significantly safer and more ecofriendly. The present study used molecular dynamics (MD) to examine how ZnO-NPs interact with porin protein (GLO21), a target of ß-lactam antibiotics, and then tested this interaction in vitro by determining the zone of inhibition (IZ), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), as well as the alteration of KPC's cell surface. The nanoparticles produced were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, zetasizer, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In silico investigation was conducted using a variety of computational techniques, including Autodock Vina for protein and ligand docking and Desmond for MD simulation. The candidate ligands that interact with the GLO21 protein were biosynthesized ZnO-NPs, meropenem, imipenem, and cefepime. Analysis of MD revealed that the ZnO-NPs had the highest log P value (-9.1 kcal/mol), which indicates higher permeability through the bacterial surface, followed by cefepime (-7.9 kcal/mol), meropenem (-7.5 kcal/mol), and imipenem (-6.4 kcal/mol). All tested compounds and ZnO-NPs possess similar binding sites of porin proteins. An MD simulation study showed a stable system for ZnO-NPs and cefepime, as confirmed by RMSD and RMSF values during 100 ns trajectories. The test compounds were further inspected for their intersection with porin in terms of hydrophobic, hydrogen, and ionic levels. In addition, the stability of these bonds were measured by observing the protein-ligand contact within 100 ns trajectories. ZnO-NPs showed promising results for fighting KPC, represented in MIC (0.2 mg/mL), MBC (0.5 mg/mL), and ZI (24 mm diameter). To draw the conclusion that ZnO-NP is a potent antibacterial agent and in order to identify potent antibacterial drugs that do not harm human cells, further in vivo studies are required.

Resistomycin Suppresses Prostate Cancer Cell Growth by Instigating Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Apoptosis, and Cell Cycle Arrest.

Globally, prostate cancer is among the most threatening and leading causes of death in men. This study, therefore, aimed to search for an ideal antitumor strategy with high efficacy, low drug resistance, and no or few adverse effects. Resistomycin is a natural antibiotic derived from marine actinomycetes, and it possesses various biological activities. Prostate cancer cells (PC3) were treated with resistomycin (IC12.5: 0.65 or IC25: 1.3 µg/mL) or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; IC25: 7 µg/mL) for 24 h. MTT assay and flow cytometry were utilized to assess cell viability and apoptosis. Oxidative stress, apoptotic-related markers, and cell cycle were also assessed. The results revealed that the IC50 of resistomycin and 5-FU on PC3 cells were 2.63 µg/mL and 14.44 µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, treated cells with the high dose of resistomycin showed an increased number of apoptotic cells compared to those treated with the lower dose. Remarkable induction of reactive oxygen species generation and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage with high malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonyl protein (CP), and 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHdG) contents were observed in resistomycin-treated cells. In addition, marked declines in glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in PC3 cells subjected to resistomycin therapy were observed. Resistomycin triggered observable cell apoptosis by increasing Bax, caspase-3, and cytosolic cytochrome c levels and decreasing Bcl-2 levels. In addition, notable downregulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and cyclin D1 was observed in resistomycin-treated cancerous cells. According to this evaluation, the antitumor potential of resistomycin, in a concentration-dependent manner, in prostate cancer cells was achieved by triggering oxidative stress, mitochondrial apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest in cancer cells. In conclusion, our investigation suggests that resistomycin can be considered a starting point for developing new chemotherapeutic agents for human prostate cancer.

Tryptophan-tagged peptide from serine threonine-protein kinase of Channa striatus improves antioxidant defence in L6 myotubes and attenuates caspase 3-dependent apoptotic response in zebrafish larvae.

This study reports the antioxidant property and molecular mechanism of a tryptophan-tagged peptide derived from a teleost fish Channa striatus of serine threonine-protein kinase (STPK). The peptide was tagged with tryptophan to enhance the antioxidant property of STPK and named as IW13. The antioxidant activity of IW13 peptide was investigated using in vitro methods such as DPPH, ABTS, superoxide anion radical scavenging and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay. Furthermore, to investigate the toxicity and dose response of IW13 peptide on antioxidant defence in vitro, L6 myotubes were induced with generic oxidative stress due to exposure of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). IW13 peptide exposure was found to be non-cytotoxic to L6 cells in the tested concentration (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 µM). Also, the pre-treatment of IW13 peptide decreased the lipid peroxidation level and increased glutathione enzyme activity. IW13 peptide treatment upregulated the antioxidant enzyme genes: GPx (glutathione peroxidase), GST (glutathione S transferase) and GCS (glutamine cysteine synthase), in vitro in L6 myotubes and in vivo in zebrafish larvae against the H2O2-induced oxidative stress. The results demonstrated that IW13 renders protection against the H2O2-induced oxidative stress through a cellular antioxidant defence mechanism by upregulating the gene expression, thus enhancing the antioxidant activity in the cellular or organismal level. The findings exhibited that the tryptophan-tagged IW13 peptide from STPK of C. striatus could be a promising candidate for the treatment of oxidative stress-associated diseases.

Cystic echinococcosis: Development of an intermediate host rabbit model for using in vaccination studies.

The aims of this study were an establishment of the domestic rabbit as an intermediate host for cystic echinococcosis (CE) and to evaluate the potency of the crude germinal layer and the protoscoleces antigens to protect against the CE. Firstly; Two groups of white Newzeland rabbits were infected orally either by 5000 active oncospheres or viable protoscoleces separately. After 20 weeks, the slaughtered rabbits showed the presence of hydatid cysts at different internal organs. Molecular detection of the resulted cysts was conducted. Secondly; 27 rabbits were divided into nine groups (n = 3). Groups 1 and 2 were immunized with the crude germinal layer antigen while the groups 3 and 4 were immunized with the crude protoscoleces antigen. Groups 5 and 6 received the adjuvant mineral oil. Groups 7 and 8 were used as positive control. The last 9 group was kept as a negative control. The obtained results showed a significant high protection percentage of 83.4% and high antibody titer was recorded in groups that received the crude germinal layer antigen comparing with the groups that immunized with the crude protoscoleces antigen as their protection percentage was 66.7% with lower IgG response. In conclusion, the domestic rabbits could be used as a laboratory model for CE. Developing of the germinal layer antigen is more immunogenic than the protoscoleces one and could be used as a promising vaccine. Attention should be directed towards the existing rabbit in the environment adjacent to infected dogs as it could be a part of Echinococcus life cycle.

Morphological, Molecular, and Pathological Appraisal of Hymenolepis nana (Hymenolepididae) Infecting Laboratory Mice (Mus musculus).

Hymenolepis nana, typically a parasite found in conventionally established mouse colonies, has zoonotic potential characterized by autoinfection and direct life cycle. The objective of this study was to determine the rate of parasite infection in laboratory mice. The hymenolepidide cestode infected 40% of the 50 mice sampled. The rate of infection in males (52%) was higher than in females (28%). Morphological studies on the cestode parasite showed that worms had a globular scolex with four suckers, a retractable rostellum with 20-30 hooks, and a short unsegmented neck. In addition, the remaining strobila consisted of immature, mature, and gravid proglottids, irregularly alternating genital pores, lobulated ovaries, postovarian vitelline glands, and uteri with up to 200 eggs in their gravid proglottids. The parasite taxonomy was confirmed by using molecular characterization based on the sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (mtCOX1) gene. The parasite recovered was up to 80% identical to other species in GenBank. High blast scores and low divergence were noted between the isolated parasite and previously described H. nana (gb| AP017666.1). The phylogenetic analysis using the COX1 sequence places this hymenolepidid species of the order Cyclophyllidea.

Antifungal activity of Carica papaya fruit extract against Microsporum canis: in vitro and in vivo study.

Background: Tinea capitis (T. capitis), commonly known as scalp ringworm, is a fungal infection affecting the scalp and hair. Among the causative agents, Microsporum canis (M. canis) stands out, often transmitted from cats to humans (zoonotic disease). In this study, we investigated the efficacy of Carica papaya (C. papaya), fruit extract against dermatophytes, particularly M. canis, both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, we aimed to identify the active compounds responsible for suppressing fungal growth and assess the toxicity of C. papaya on human cells. Methodology: It conducted in two parts. First, In Vitro Study include the preparation of C. papaya fruit extract using methanol as the solvent, Phytochemical analysis of the plant extract including Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was conducted, Cytotoxicity assays were performed using HUH-7 cells, employing the MTT assay (1-(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide), Antimicrobial activity against M. canis was evaluated, including: Zone of inhibition (ZI), Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), M. canis cell alterations were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Second, In Vivo, Albino Wistar male rats were included. Results: The phytochemical analysis of the methanolic extract from papaya revealed several functional groups, including hydroxyl, ammonia, alkane, carbonate, and alcohol. Additionally, the GC-MS analysis identified 15 compounds, with xanthosine and decanoic acid being the predominant components. The methanolic extract of papaya fruits demonstrated potent antifungal activity: ZI = 37 mm, MIC = 1,000 µg/mL, MFC = 1900 µg/mL, MTT results indicated lower cytotoxicity of the fruit extract at concentrations of 20 µg/mL, 50 µg/mL, 100 µg/mL, 150 µg/mL, and 200 µg/mL, The IC50 revealed a significant decrease in cell viability with increasing extract concentration. Notably, papaya extract induced considerable alterations in the morphology of M. canis hyphae and spores. In animal tissue, improvements were observed among the group of rats which treated with Papaya extract. This study highlights the potential of C. papaya fruits as a natural antifungal agent, warranting further exploration for clinical applications.

Molecular dynamic analyses of the interaction of SARS-CoV-1 or 2 variants with various angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 species.

The transmembrane glycoprotein angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a key component of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). It was shown to be the receptor of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in the COVID-19 outbreak (SARS-COV-2). Furthermore, ACE2 aids in the transport of amino acids across the membrane. ACE2 is lost from the membrane, resulting in soluble ACE2 (sACE2). We aim to examine the structural conformation alterations between SARS-CoV-1 or 2 variants at various periods with ACE2 from various sources, particularly in the area where it interacts with the viral protein and the receptor. It is important to study the molecular dynamics of ACE2/SARS-COV RBD when the structure is available on the database. Here we analyzed the crystal structure of ACE2 from Human, Dog, Mus, Cat, and Bat ACE2 in complex with RBD from SARS-COV-1 and SARS-COV-2. The result shows, there is a variation in the type of residues, number of contact atoms and hydrogen bonds in ACE2 and RBD during the interaction interfaces. By using molecular dynamics simulation, we can measure RMSD, RMSF, SASA, Rg and the difference in the percentage of α helix and ß strand. As bat ACE2 & SARS-CoV-2 RBD found to have a high amount of ß strand compared to another structure complex, while hACE2 & SARS-CoV-1 RBD has fewer amounts of ß strand. Our study provides a deep view of the structure which is available and a summary of many works around ACE2/SARS-CoV RBD interaction.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Effect of Bio-Fertilizer Application on Agronomic Traits, Yield, and Nutrient Uptake of Barley (Hordeum vulgare) in Saline Soil.

Under salinity conditions, growth and productivity of grain crops decrease, leading to inhibition and limited absorption of water and elements necessary for plant growth, osmotic imbalance, ionic stress, and oxidative stress. Microorganisms in bio-fertilizers have several mechanisms to provide benefits to crop plants and reduce the harmful effect of salinity. They can be effective in dissolving phosphate, fixing nitrogen, promoting plant growth, and can have a combination of all these qualities. During two successful agricultural seasons, two field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of bio-fertilizer applications, including phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), nitrogen fixation bacteria and a mix of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and nitrogen fixation bacteria with three rates, 50, 75 and 100% NPK, of the recommended dose of minimal fertilizer on agronomic traits, yield and nutrient uptake of barley (Hordeum vulgare) under saline condition in Village 13, Farafra Oasis, New Valley Governorate, Egypt. The results showed that the application of Microbein + 75% NPK recorded the highest values of plant height, spike length, number of spikes/m2, grain yield (Mg ha-1), straw yield (Mg ha-1), biological yield (Mg ha-1), protein content %, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) uptakes in grain and straw (kg ha-1), available nitrogen (mg/kg soil), available phosphorus (mg/kg soil), total microbial count of soil, antioxidant activity of soil (AOA), dehydrogenase, nitrogen fixers, and PSB counts. The application of bio-fertilizers led to an increase in plant tolerance to salt stress, plant growth, grain yield, and straw yield, in addition to the application of the bio-fertilizers, which resulted in a 25% saving in the cost of mineral fertilizers used in barley production.

Inoculation with Jeotgalicoccus sp. improves nutritional quality and biological value of Eruca sativa by enhancing amino acid and phenolic metabolism and increasing mineral uptake, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are considered a promising tool for triggering the synthesis of bioactive compounds in plants and to produce healthy foods. This study aimed to demonstrate the impact of PGPB on the growth, accumulation of primary and secondary metabolites, biological activities, and nutritional qualities of Eruca sativa (arugula), a key leafy vegetable worldwide. To this end, Jeotgalicoccus sp. (JW0823), was isolated and identified by using partial 16S rDNA-based identification and phylogenetic analysis. The findings revealed that JW0823 significantly boosted plant biomass production by about 45% (P<0.05) and enhanced pigment contents by 47.5% to 83.8%. JW0823-treated plants showed remarkable improvements in their proximate composition and vitamin contents, with vitamin E levels increasing by 161.5%. JW0823 induced the accumulation of bioactive metabolites including antioxidants, vitamins, unsaturated fatty acids, and essential amino acids, thereby improving the nutritional qualities of treated plants. An increase in the amounts of amino acids was recorded, with isoleucine showing the highest increase of 270.2%. This was accompanied by increased activity of the key enzymes involved in amino acid biosynthesis, including glutamine synthase, dihydrodipicolinate synthase, cystathionine γ-synthase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase enzymes. Consequently, the total antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of the inoculated plants were enhanced. Additionally, JW0823 improved antimicrobial activity against several pathogenic microorganisms. Overall, the JW0823 treatment is a highly promising method for enhancing the health-promoting properties and biological characteristics of E. sativa, making it a valuable tool for improving the quality of this important leafy vegetable.

Exploration of genes encoding KEGG pathway enzymes in rhizospheric microbiome of the wild plant Abutilon fruticosum.

The operative mechanisms and advantageous synergies existing between the rhizobiome and the wild plant species Abutilon fruticosum were studied. Within the purview of this scientific study, the reservoir of genes in the rhizobiome, encoding the most highly enriched enzymes, was dominantly constituted by members of phylum Thaumarchaeota within the archaeal kingdom, phylum Proteobacteria within the bacterial kingdom, and the phylum Streptophyta within the eukaryotic kingdom. The ensemble of enzymes encoded through plant exudation exhibited affiliations with 15 crosstalking KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes) pathways. The ultimate goal underlying root exudation, as surmised from the present investigation, was the biosynthesis of saccharides, amino acids, and nucleic acids, which are imperative for the sustenance, propagation, or reproduction of microbial consortia. The symbiotic companionship existing between the wild plant and its associated rhizobiome amplifies the resilience of the microbial community against adverse abiotic stresses, achieved through the orchestration of ABA (abscisic acid) signaling and its cascading downstream effects. Emergent from the process of exudation are pivotal bioactive compounds including ATP, D-ribose, pyruvate, glucose, glutamine, and thiamine diphosphate. In conclusion, we hypothesize that future efforts to enhance the growth and productivity of commercially important crop plants under both favorable and unfavorable environmental conditions may focus on manipulating plant rhizobiomes.

Species-specific ecotoxicity of platinum nanoparticles to two cyanobacteria.

Platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) are one of the widely used NPs, which contribute to potential risks to the aquatic ecosystem. However, PtNPs toxicity in phytoplankton remains inadequately understood, with significant gaps in knowledge regarding their biochemical bases and species-specific responses. Herein, we investigated the impact of PtNPs on two cyanobacterial species (Anabaena laxa and Nostoc muscorum) to explore the harmful pathways triggered by PtNPs in cyanobacteria, which may help in selecting appropriate biomarkers for PtNPs pollution in aquatic environments. We studied the effect of PtNPs on growth, oxidative stress markers, and antioxidant defense systems of the two species. The obtained results showed that PtNPs reduced the level of chlorophyll. Furthermore, they induced dose-dependent oxidative stress to the two species, expressed by significant increases in H2O2, malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein oxidation (p < 0.05). Stress-induced oxidative damages were more pronounced in N. muscorum, yet the two cyanobacterial species showed higher levels (p < 0.05) of antioxidant metabolites and antioxidant enzymes to combat oxidative stress. Compared to N. muscorum, A. laxa invested more in the induction of antioxidant metabolites including FRAP, polyphenols, flavonoids, and glutathione (GSH), as well as in antioxidant enzymes such as POX, CAT, GR, and GPX. Overall, A. laxa species could be exploited as efficient biomarkers for monitoring PtNPs-induced ecotoxicology. Further investigation of bio-absorption and uptake of PtNPs by microalgae is recommended for developing algae-based bioremediation technologies.

Assessment of Structural, Optical, and Antibacterial Properties of Green Sn(Fe : Ni)O2 Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Azadirachta indica Leaf Extract.

Metal oxide nanoparticles have attained notable recognition due to their interesting physicochemical properties. Although these nanoparticles can be synthesized using a variety of approaches, the biological method involving plant extracts is preferred since it provides a simple, uncomplicated, ecologically friendly, efficient, rapid, and economical way for synthesis. In this study, the Azadirachta indica leaf extract was used as a reducing agent, and a green process was used to synthesize tin(ferrous: nickel)dioxide (Sn(Fe : Ni)O2) nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were subjected to characterization by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and photoluminescence (PL) measurement. Furthermore, Sn(Fe : Ni)O2 nanoparticles were analyzed for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial strains. XRD patterns revealed that Sn(Fe : Ni)O2 nanoparticles exhibited a tetragonal structure. The hydrodynamic diameter of the nanoparticles was 143 nm, as confirmed by the DLS spectrum. The FESEM image showed the spherical form of the synthesized nanoparticles. Chemical composites and mapping analyses were performed through the EDAX spectrum. The Sn-O-Sn and Sn-O stretching bands were 615 cm-1 and 550 cm-1 in the FTIR spectrum, respectively. Various surface defects of the synthesized Sn(Fe : Ni)O2 nanoparticles were identified by photoluminescence spectra. Compared to traditional antibiotics like amoxicillin, the inhibition zone revealed that Sn(Fe : Ni)O2 nanoparticles displayed remarkable antibacterial activity against all tested organisms, indicating the valuable potential of nanoparticles in the healthcare industry.

Biogenic Selenium Nanoparticles: Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Insecticidal Properties and Their Impact on Soybean (Glycine max L.) Seed Germination and Seedling Growth.

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have demonstrated significant potential in a variety of disciplines, making them an extremely desirable subject of research. This study investigated the anticancer and antibacterial properties of my-co-fabricated selenium SeNPs, as well as their effects on soybean (Glycine max L.) seeds, seedling growth, cotton leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis) combat, and plant pathogenic fungi inhibition. SeNPs showed anticancer activity with an IC50 value of 1.95 µg/mL against MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma cells. The myco-synthesized SeNPs exhibited an antibacterial effect against Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae at 20 mg/mL. The use of 1 µM SeNPs improved soybean seed germination (93%), germination energy (76.5%), germination rate (19.0), and mean germination time (4.3 days). At 0.5 and 1.0 µM SeNPs, the growth parameters of seedlings improved. SeNPs increased the 4th instar larval mortality of cotton leafworm compared to control, with a median lethal concentration of 23.08 mg/mL. They inhibited the growth of Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, and Fusarium solani. These findings demonstrate that biogenic SeNPs represent a promising approach to achieving sustainable progress in the fields of agriculture, cancer therapy, and infection control.

Molecular dynamic and bioinformatic studies of metformin-induced ACE2 phosphorylation in the presence of different SARS-CoV-2 S protein mutations.

The SARS-CoV-2 infection activates host kinases and causes high phosphorylation in both the host and the virus. There were around 70 phosphorylation sites found in SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins. Besides, almost 15,000 host phosphorylation sites were found in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells. COVID-19 is thought to enter cells via the well-known receptor Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the serine protease TMPRSS2. Substantially, the COVID-19 infection doesn't induce phosphorylation of the ACE2 receptor at Serin-680(s680). Metformin's numerous pleiotropic properties and extensive use in medicine including COVID-19, have inspired experts to call it the "aspirin of the twenty-first century". Metformin's impact on COVID-19 has been verified in clinical investigations via ACE2 receptor phosphorylation at s680. In the infection of COVID-19, sodium-dependent transporters including the major neutral amino acid (B0AT1) is regulated by ACE2. The structure of B0AT1 complexing with the COVID-19 receptor ACE2 enabled significant progress in the creation of mRNA vaccines. We aimed to study the impact of the interaction of the phosphorylation form of ACE2-s680 with wild-type (WT) and different mutations of SARS-CoV-2 infection such as delta, omicron, and gamma (γ) on their entrance of host cells as well as the regulation of B0AT1by the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2. Interestingly, compared to WT SARS-CoV-2, ACE2 receptor phosphorylation at s680 produces conformational alterations in all types of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, our results showed for the first time that this phosphorylation significantly influences ACE2 sites K625, K676, and R678, which are key mediators for ACE2-B0AT1 complex.