Vortex-Assisted Magnetic Solid-Phase Extraction of Heavy Metals in Water and Food Samples Using Iron Oxide Nanoparticle-Impregnated Carboxymethyl-ß-Cyclodextrin.

The excessive accumulation of heavy metals has adverse effects on the human body. Here, magnetic iron oxide-impregnated carboxymethyl-ß-cyclodextrin was synthesized. The synthesized material was employed as a magnetic solid-phase extracting adsorbent for specific heavy metals like lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and cobalt (Co). Characterization was performed by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The analytical merits, like detection limits (Pb: 1.38 ng/mL, Ni: 0.5 ng/mL, Co: 0.14 ng/mL, and Cu: 0.55 ng/mL) and quantification limits (Pb: 4.14 ng/mL, Ni: 1.62 ng/mL, Co: 1.85 ng/mL, and Cu: 1.82 ng/mL) were calculated. Similarly, the preconcentration and enhancement factors (15) and relative standard deviation (Pb: 3.5, Ni: 0.92, Co: 2.7, and Cu: 1.5) were also calculated. The interfering study shows that the method is highly selective. For validation, it was applied to certified reference materials such as the Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology ornamental Basma tobacco leaves and trace metal double addition 63.4 environmental water with good percent recovery values (92%-99%). Real water and food samples were also used with satisfactory (90%-99%) recovery results.

Gut microbiota metabolites and risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and death: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gut microbial metabolites such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and its precursors, namely betaine, L-carnitine, and choline, have been implicated as risk factors for cardiovascular events and mortality development. Therefore, we aim to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the validity of these associations. METHODS: MEDLINE and Scopus were queried from their inception to August 2023 to identify studies that quantified estimates of the associations of TMAO with the development of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) or death. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to pool unadjusted or multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and their 95% confidence intervals. The primary endpoint was the risk of MACE and all-cause death. RESULTS: 30 prospective observational studies (n = 48 968) were included in the analysis. Elevated TMAO levels were associated with a significantly greater risk of MACE and all-cause death compared to low TMAO levels (HR: 1.41, 95% CI 1.2-1.54, P < .00001, I2 = 43%) and (HR: 1.55, 95% CI 1.37-1.75, P < .00001, I2 = 46%), respectively. Furthermore, high levels of either L-carnitine or choline were found to significantly increase the risk of MACE. However, no significant difference was seen in MACE in either high or low levels of betaine. CONCLUSION: Elevated concentrations of TMAO were associated with increased risks of MACE and all-cause mortality. High levels of L-carnitine/choline were also significantly associated with an increased risk of MACE. However, no significant difference was found between high or low levels of betaine for the outcome of MACE.

The effect of intrathecal pethidine on post-spinal anesthesia shivering after cesarean section: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Spinal anesthesia is the most preferred method for cesarean section (C-section). This meta-analysis was performed to determine the effect of low and high intrathecal doses of pethidine on the maternal outcomes after C-section. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar was performed. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed to derive odds ratios (ORs) from dichotomous data. Results: Seventeen randomized controlled trials with 1304 C-section patients were included. Patients who had received intrathecal pethidine experienced decreased shivering and intensity of shivering (OR 0.13; P<0.001) and (OR 0.21; P<0.001), respectively. Moreover, vomiting (OR 2.47; P=0.002) and pruritus (OR 5.92; P<0.001) were significantly higher in the pethidine group. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of nausea (OR 2.55; P=0.06) and hypotension (OR 0.91; P=0.67). Conclusions: Intrathecal pethidine can effectively decrease shivering, although it increases the risk of vomiting and pruritus. No significant difference was found both in the maternal hypotension and nausea.

Oregano essential oil-infused mucin microneedle patch for the treatment of hypertrophic scar.

Hypertrophic scar (HS) manifests as abnormal dermal myofibroblast proliferation and excessive collagen deposition, leading to raised scars and significant physical, psychological, and financial burdens for patients. HS is difficult to cure in the clinic and current therapies lead to recurrence, pain, and side effects. In this study, a natural amphiphilic polymer mucin is used to prepare a dissolving microneedle (muMN) that is loaded with oregano essential oil (OEO) for HS therapy. muMN exhibits sufficient skin/scar tissue penetration, quick skin recovery time after removal, good loading of natural essential oil, fast dissolution and detachment from the base layer, and good biocompatibility to applied skin. In the rabbit HS model, OEO@muMN shows a significant reduction in scar thickness, epidermal thickness index, and scar elevation index. OEO@muMN also attenuates the mean collagen area fraction and decreases the number of capillaries in scar tissues. Biochemical Assay reveals that OEO@muMN significantly inhibits the expression of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) and hydroxyproline (HYP). In summary, this study demonstrates the feasibility and good efficacy of using the anti-proliferative and anti-oxidative OEO for HS treatment. OEO@muMN is an efficient formulation that holds the potential for clinical anti-HS application. muMN is an efficient platform to load and apply essential oils transdermally.

Upgrading of Grade Group 1 Prostate Cancer at Prostatectomy: Germline Risk Factors in a Prospective Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Localized prostate tumors show significant spatial heterogeneity, with regions of high-grade disease adjacent to lower-grade disease. Consequently, prostate cancer biopsies are prone to sampling bias, potentially leading to underestimation of tumor grade. To study the clinical, epidemiologic and molecular hallmarks of this phenomenon, we conducted a prospective study of grade upgrading: differences in detected prostate cancer grade between biopsy and surgery. METHODS: We established a prospective, multi-institutional cohort of men with Grade Group 1 (GG1) prostate cancer on biopsy who underwent radical prostatectomy. Upgrading was defined as detection of GG2+ in the resected tumor. Germline DNA from 192 subjects was subjected to whole-genome sequencing to quantify ancestry, pathogenic variants in DNA damage response genes and polygenic risk. RESULTS: Of 285 men, 67% upgraded at surgery. PSA density and percent of cancer in pre-prostatectomy positive biopsy cores were significantly associated with upgrading. No assessed genetic risk factor was predictive of upgrading, including polygenic risk scores for prostate cancer diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of low-grade prostate cancer patients, a majority upgraded at radical prostatectomy. PSA density and percent of cancer in pre-prostatectomy positive biopsy cores portended the presence of higher-grade disease, while germline genetics was not informative in this setting. Patients with low-risk prostate cancer, but elevated PSA density or percent cancer in positive biopsy cores, may benefit from repeat biopsy, additional imaging or other approaches to complement active surveillance. IMPACT: Further risk stratification of patients with low-risk prostate cancer may provide useful context for active surveillance decision-making.

From waste to wealth: iron oxide doped hydroxyapatite-based biosensor for the colorimetric detection of ascorbic acid.

Ascorbic acid plays a pivotal role in the human body. It maintains the robustness, enlargement, and elasticity of the collagen triple helix. However, the abnormal concentration of ascorbic acid causes various diseases, such as scurvy, cardiovascular diseases, gingival bleeding, urinary stones, diarrhea, stomach convulsions, etc. In the present work, an iron-doped hydroxyapatite (HAp@Fe2O3)-based biosensor was developed for the colorimetric detection of ascorbic acid based on a low-cost, biocompatible, and ubiquitous material. Due to the catalytic nature of HAp owing to the acidic and basic moieties within the structure, it was used as a template for HAp@Fe2O3 synthesis. This approach provides an active as well as large surface area for the sensing of ascorbic acid. The synthesized platform was characterized by various techniques, such as UV-Vis, FTIR, SEM, XRD, TGA, EDX, etc. The HAp@Fe2O3 demonstrated inherent peroxidase-like activity in the presence of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) oxidized with the assistance of H2O2. It resulted in the color changing to blue-green, and after the addition of ascorbic acid, the color changed to colorless, resulting in the reduction of TMB. To achieve optimal sensing parameters, experimental conditions were optimized. The quantity of HAp@Fe2O3, H2O2, pH, TMB, time, and the concentration of ascorbic acid were fine-tuned. The linear range for the proposed sensor was 0.6-56 µM, along with a limit of detection of 0.16 µM and a limit of quantification of 0.53 µM. The proposed sensor detects ascorbic acid within 75 seconds at room temperature. The proposed platform was also applied to quantitatively check the concentration of ascorbic acid in a physiological solution.

Efficacy and safety of semaglutide in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and obesity.

BACKGROUND: Semaglutide, a once-weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, has shown promise in weight management and cardiovascular outcomes in other populations. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of semaglutide in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients with obesity. METHODS: A retrospective study analyzed 318 patients with HFpEF, of which 104 received semaglutide and 214 received placebo. Primary endpoints included evaluating changes in exercise capacity and weight management. RESULTS: Semaglutide treatment led to significant improvements in the primary endpoints. Patients in the semaglutide group demonstrated substantial enhancements in exercise capacity, as measured by the 6-min walk distance, compared to the placebo group (mean difference 15.1 meters, 95% CI 5.8 to 24.4, p = 0.002). Additionally, semaglutide resulted in substantial weight loss compared to placebo (mean difference -2.9%, 95% CI -4.1--1.7, p = 0.001). Several secondary endpoints, including reductions in C-reactive protein levels and improvements in other clinical parameters, further supported the efficacy of semaglutide. Adverse events were generally well-tolerated, with no unexpected safety concerns. CONCLUSION: Semaglutide demonstrated significant clinical benefits in HFpEF patients with obesity, as evidenced by improved symptoms, physical function, and weight reduction.

Colorimetric sensing of hydrogen peroxide using capped Morus nigra-sawdust deposited zinc oxide nanoparticles via Trigonella foenum extract.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is one of the main byproducts of most enzymatic reactions, and its detection is very important in disease conditions. Due to its essential role in healthcare, the food industry, and environmental research, accurate H2O2 determination is a prerequisite. In the present work, Morus nigra sawdust deposited zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by the use of Trigonella foenum extract via a hydrothermal process. The synthesized platform was characterized by various techniques, including UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, etc. FTIR confirmed the presence of a Zn‒O characteristic peak, and XRD showed the hexagonal phase of ZnO NPs with a 35 nm particle size. The EDX analysis confirmed the presence of Zn and O. SEM images showed that the as-prepared nanoparticles are distributed uniformly on the surface of sawdust. The proposed platform (acetic acid-capped ZnO NPs deposited sawdust) functions as a mimic enzyme for the detection of H2O2 in the presence of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) colorimetrically. To get the best results, many key parameters, such as the amount of sawdust-deposited nanoparticles, TMB concentration, pH, and incubation time were optimized. With a linear range of 0.001-0.360 µM and an R2 value of 0.999, the proposed biosensor's 0.81 nM limit of quantification (LOQ) and 0.24 nM limit of detection (LOD) were predicted, respectively. The best response for the proposed biosensor was observed at pH 7, room temperature, and 5 min of incubation time. The acetic acid-capped sawdust deposited ZnO NPs biosensor was also used to detect H2O2 in blood serum samples of diabetic patients and suggest a suitable candidate for in vitro diagnostics and commercial purposes.

Synergistic effect of silicon and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi reduces cadmium accumulation by regulating hormonal transduction and lignin accumulation in maize.

Cadmium (Cd) stress causes serious damage to plants, inducing various physiological and biochemical disruptions that lead to reduced plant biomass and compromised growth. The study investigated the combined effects of silicon (Si) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on mitigating Cd stress in plants, revealing promising results in enhancing plant tolerance to Cd toxicity. Under Cd stress, plant biomass was significantly reduced (-33% and -30% shoot and root dry weights) as compared to control. However, Si and AMF application ameliorated this effect, leading to increased shoot and root dry weights (+47% and +39%). Furthermore, Si and AMF demonstrated their potential in reducing the relative Cd content (-43% and -36% in shoot and root) in plants and positively influencing plant colonization (+648%), providing eco-friendly and sustainable strategies to combat Cd toxicity in contaminated soils. Additionally, the combined treatment in the Cd-stressed conditions resulted in notable increases in saccharide compounds and hormone levels in both leaf and root tissues, further enhancing the plant's resilience to Cd-induced stress. Si and AMF also played a vital role in positively regulating key lignin biosynthesis genes and altering lignin-related metabolites, shedding light on their potential to fortify plants against Cd stress. These findings underscore the significance of Si and AMF as promising tools in addressing Cd toxicity and enhancing plant performance in Cd-contaminated environments.

Effect of Azilsartan on clinical blood pressure reduction compared to other angiotensin receptor blockers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Hypertension has significantly contributed to morbidity and mortality, necessitating effective management. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) have emerged as a cornerstone in hypertension treatment. Azilsartan, a relatively recent addition to the ARB family, offers unique characteristics, including prodrug activation. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate Azilsartan's role in reducing clinical blood pressure compared to other ARBs and determine the most effective dosage. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted in Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.gov. Eligible studies included adult hypertensive patients receiving Azilsartan compared to other ARBs, with clinical systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) outcomes. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed, and statistical analysis employed comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA) software. Results: Eleven randomized controlled trials encompassing 18 studies involving 6024 patients were included. Azilsartan demonstrated significant reductions in clinical SBP (mean difference=-2.85 mmHg) and DBP (mean difference=-2.095 mmHg) compared to other ARBs. Higher doses of Azilsartan showed greater efficacy, with 80 mg exhibiting the most substantial reduction in SBP. The analysis emphasized the need for more studies investigating lower Azilsartan doses (10 and 20 mg). Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis underscore Azilsartan's effectiveness in reducing SBP and DBP. Dose-dependent effects emphasize the importance of optimal dosing when prescribing Azilsartan. These findings provide valuable insights for clinicians in managing hypertension effectively and call for further research, primarily focusing on lower Azilsartan doses and a more diverse patient population.

Straw incorporation into microplastic-contaminated soil can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by enhancing soil enzyme activities and microbial community structure.

Microplastic (MP) contamination poses a substantial threat to agroecosystems, disrupting soil properties, nutrient cycles, and microbial communities and ultimately affecting plant growth and ecosystem resilience. The effects of straw addition on the storage of soil organic carbon (SOC) and greenhouse gas emissions have been extensively explored, but these effects have not been examined in the context of MP contamination. To assess the impacts of legume straw and polyethylene microplastics on SOC fractions and carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, 7-month soil incubation experiments were performed. The results revealed that the inclusion of legume straw in soil considerably increased microbial SOC compared to the control. However, straw addition to MP-contaminated soil reduced microbial SOC compared to that in soil containing only straw. In contrast, the addition of straw to MP-contaminated soil elevated (+44%) the SOC mineral relative to the sole application of straw. Intriguingly, straw incorporation into MP-contaminated soil reduced microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen relative to soil containing only straw. Straw addition to MP-contaminated soil enhanced the nitrification activity and reduced the relative expression of AOBamoABC gene compared to sole straw-incorporated soil and the control. Greenhouse gas emissions were also modulated; for instance, straw incorporation into MP-contaminated soil reduced CO2 and N2O emissions by -11% and -46%, compared to straw incorporation alone. The urease and phosphatase activities were decreased (-58% and -12%) in the MP-polluted soil with straw incorporation compared with those in the soil in which only straw was applied. However, invertase and catalase activities were upregulated in the straw-incorporated soil contaminated with MPs. Straw addition in the MP-polluted soil considerably enhanced (+2%) the microbial community structure (indicated by PLFA) compared to the sole straw application. These results provide a comprehensive perspective on the role of legume straw incorporation in addressing MP pollution, showcasing its potential for sustainable agricultural practices in the face of evolving environmental challenges.

Paracetamol-Mediated Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Functionalization with Ionic Liquid for the Colorimetric Biosensing of Ascorbic Acid.

Ascorbic acid is a vital biomolecule for human beings. When the body's level of ascorbic acid is abnormal, it can lead to a number of illnesses. Its appropriate concentration is necessary for the oxidation of prostaglandins and cyclic adenosine monophosphate, the production of dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and carnitine, and the expansion and durability of the collagen triple helix in humans. In the present work, silver nanoparticle synthesis was performed through a paracetamol-mediated approach. Different characterization techniques, such as X-ray diffractometry (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were used to confirm the prepared nanoparticles. Subsequently, the prepared Ag NPs functionalized with an ionic liquid were used as a sensing platform for ascorbic acid in blood serum samples. To achieve the best possible results, the proposed biosensor was optimized with different parameters such as TMB concentration, time, amount of capped nanoparticles (NPs), and pH. The proposed biosensor offers a sensitive and straightforward method for ascorbic acid with a linear range from 2 × 10-9 to 3.22 × 10-7 M, an LOD of 1.3 × 10-8 M, an LOQ of 4.3 × 10-8 M, and an R2 of 0.9996, Moreover, applications of the proposed biosensor were successfully used for the detection of ascorbic acid in samples of human plasma, suggesting that Ag NPs with high peroxidase-like activity, high stability, and facile synthesis exhibited promising applications in biomedical fields.

Silicon inhibits cadmium uptake by regulating the genes associated with the lignin biosynthetic pathway and plant hormone signal transduction in maize plants.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in soil poses a severe threat to plant growth and development. In contrast, silicon (Si) has shown promise in enhancing plant resilience under Cd-induced stress. In this study, we conducted an integrated investigation employing morphological studies, gene expression analysis, and metabolomics to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying Cd tolerance in maize plants. Our results demonstrate that Si biofortification significantly mitigated Cd stress by reducing Cd accumulation in plant tissues, increasing Si content, and enhancing maize biomass in Cd-stressed plants resulted in a substantial enhancement in shoot dry weight (+ 75%) and root dry weight (+ 30%). Notably, Si treatment upregulated key lignin-related genes (TaPAL, TaCAD, Ta4CL, and TaCOMT) and promoted the accumulation of metabolites (sinapyl alcohol, phenylalanine, p-coumaryl alcohol, cafeyl alcohol, and coniferaldehyde) essential for cell wall strength, particularly under Cd stress conditions. Si application enriched the signal transduction by hormones and increased resistance by induction of biosynthesis genes (TaBZR1, TaLOX3, and TaNCDE1) and metabolites (brassinolide, abscisic acid, and jasmonate) in the roots and leaves under Cd stress. Furthermore, our study provides a comprehensive view of the intricate molecular crosstalk between Si, Cd stress, and plant hormonal responses. We unveil a network of genetic and metabolic interactions that culminate in a multifaceted defense system, enabling maize plants to thrive even in the presence of Cd-contaminated soil. This knowledge not only advances our understanding of the protective role of Si but also highlights the broader implications for sustainable agricultural practices. By harnessing the insights gained from this research, we may pave the way for innovative strategies to fortify crops against environmental stressors, ultimately contributing to the goal of food security in an ever-changing world. In summary, our research offers valuable insights into the protective mechanisms facilitated by Si, which enhance plants' ability to withstand environmental stress, and holds promise for future applications in sustainable agriculture.

Identification, Genome Sequencing, and Characterizations of Helicobacter pylori Sourced from Pakistan.

The stomach's colonization by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) results in gastritis, ulcers, and stomach cancer. Frequently, pain is treated with medication, but resistant H. pylori infections are not. Therefore, it is important to find pharmacological targets and improved treatments for resistant H. pylori strains. The aim of the current study was sampling, identification, drug susceptibility testing following genome sequencing and comparative genome-wide analysis of selected H. pylori strains from Pakistan with three representative strains for virulence and drug-resistant characteristics. Based on culture, biochemistry, and molecular biology, 84 strains of H. pylori were identified, which made up 47% of the enrolled cases. Among all H. pylori strains, the highest resistance was reported for metronidazole with 82 H. pylori strains (98%), followed by clarithromycin with 62 resistant strains (74%). Among metronidazole-resistant strains, 38 strains (46%) were also resistant to clarithromycin, contributing 61% of clarithromycin resistant cases. Two strains, HPA1 and HPA2, isolated from 'gastritis' and 'gastric ulcer' patients, respectively, were further processed for WGS. The draft genome sequences of H. pylori strains HPA1 and HPA2 encode 1.66 Mbp and 1.67 Mbp genome size, 24 and 4 contiguous DNA sequences, and 1650 and 1625 coding sequences, respectively. Both the genomes showed greater than 90% similarity with the reference strain H. pylori ATCC 43504/PMSS1. The antibiotic-resistant genes were identified among all the strains with overall similarity above 95%, with minor differences in the sequence similarity. Using the virulent gene data obtained from the Virulence Factor Database, 75 to 85 virulent genes were identified in the five genome assemblies with various key genes such as cytolethal distending toxin (cdt), type IV secretion system, cag PAI, plasticity region, cell-motility- and flagellar-associated genes, neutrophil-activating protein (HP-NAP), T4SS effector cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA), and urease-associated genes ureA and ureB, etc. Sequence similarity between the virulence factors found in this study and reference genes was at least 90%. In summary, the results of our study showed the relationship between clinical results and specific H. pylori strains' (HPA1 and HPA2) genetics such as antibiotic resistance and specific virulence factors. These findings provide valued understanding of the epidemiology of H. pylori-associated diseases. Moreover, identification and genomics analysis have provided insights into the epidemiology, genetic diversity, pathogenicity, and potential drug resistance genes of H. pylori strains, offering a foundation for developing more targeted and effective medical interventions, including anti-virulent medications.

Silicon nanoparticles alleviate cadmium toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) by modulating the nutritional profile and triggering stress-responsive genetic mechanisms.

This study investigated the physiological and molecular responses of rice genotype '9311' to Cd stress and the mitigating effects of silicon oxide nanoparticles (SiO NPs). Cd exposure severely hindered plant growth, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, and Cd accumulation. However, SiO NPs supplementation, particularly the SiONP100 treatment, significantly alleviated Cd-induced toxicity, mitigating the adverse effects on plant growth while maintaining chlorophyll content and photosynthetic attributes. The SiONP100 treatment also reduced Cd accumulation, indicating a preference for Si uptake in genotype 9311. Complex interactions among Cd, Si, Mg, Ca, and K were uncovered, with fluctuations in MDA and H2O2 contents. Distinct morphological changes in stomatal aperture and mesophyll cell structures were observed, including changes in starch granules, grana thylakoids, and osmophilic plastoglobuli. Moreover, following SiONP100 supplementation, genotype 9311 increased peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities by 56%, 44%, and 53% in shoots and 62%, 49%, and 65% in roots, respectively, indicating a robust defense mechanism against Cd stress. Notably, OsNramp5, OsHMA3, OsSOD-Cu/Zn, OsCATA, OsCATB, and OsAPX1 showed significant expression after SiO NPs treatment, suggesting potential Cd translocation within rice tissues. Overall, SiO NPs supplementation holds promise for enhancing Cd tolerance in rice plants while maintaining essential physiological functions.

Novel amodiaquine analogues to treat cervical cancer and microbial infection in the future.

Aim: To synthesize and explore the therapeutic potential of amodiaquine analogues. Methodology: New promising analogues were synthesized by nucleophilic substitution at the 4-amino position and were characterized using 1H NMR, 13C NMR and FT-IR spectroscopic techniques. Results: Antibacterial and cytotoxic screening revealed the high potency of these compounds; analogue AS1 had an 34.3 ± 0.18 mm zone of inhibition against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Excellent activity against fungal strains, that is, Candida albicans (39.6 ± 0.23 mm) was shown by analogue AS2. Analogue AS1 had an IC50 = 4.2 µg/ml against the HeLa cell line (cervical cancer) and binding energy against 5GWK (-8.32688 kcal/mol), 1PFK (-6.4780 kcal/mol) and 1TUP (-6.5279 kcal/mol) in the docking study. Conclusion: The obtained results reveal that these analogues exhibit potent antimicrobial and cytotoxic potential.

Purification and characterization of novel isoforms of the polyphenol oxidase from Malus domestica fruit pulp.

Polyphenol oxidases (PPOs), belong to the group of oxidoreductases that are copper containing enzymes and are responsible for plant browning. PPOs are extensively distributed in plant kingdom and can oxidize wide range of aromatic compounds of industrial importance. The aim of this study was purification and characterization of PPO isoforms from the fruit pulp of Golden delicious apple. High performance liquid chromatography was used to purify the two novel isoforms of PPO and further their molecular weights (45 and 28 kDa) were determined using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified isoforms have optimum pH (6.5), optimum temperature (40°C), the Vmax (4.45 µM/min) and Km (74.21 mM) with catechol substrate. The N-terminal microsequences of both PPO isoforms were determined using a pulse liquid protein sequencer and found to be AKITFHG (28 kDa) and APGGG (45 kDa). Polyphenol oxidases are efficiently used in the pharmaceutical, paper and pulp, textiles and food industries. Recently, the PPOs have been used for bioremediation and in the development of biosensors.

Alleviation of cadmium toxicity in wheat by strigolactone: Regulating cadmium uptake, nitric oxide signaling, and genes encoding antioxidant defense system.

Cadmium (Cd) in the food system poses a serious threat to human health. The evidence on strigolactones-mediated alleviation of abiotic stress signaling and eliciting physiological modifications in plants is scarce. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to explore the role of exogenous applied strigolactone (SL) in alleviating the toxic effects of Cd and to unravel its physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms in wheat. Excessive accumulation of Cd drastically reduces growth attributes (-15%), nitric oxide signaling, and photosynthetic pigments by increasing oxidative stress biomarkers. Foliar applied SL (4 µM) decreased the Cd-induced growth inhibition (+10%), lessened plant Cd contents (-38% and -36%), shielded chlorophyll pigments (+25%), and considerably decreased Cd-induced oxidative stress in wheat. Moreover, SL applied on wheat foliage remarkably enhanced shoot and root nitric oxide content (+122% and +156%) and nitric oxide synthase activity (104% and 92%) in wheat, efficiently mitigating the Cd-induced suppression of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase, elevating the expression of genes encoding antioxidant defense system. The results of the current research exhibit that SL (GR24) could be a potential candidate for detoxification of Cd by reducing Cd contents, elevating the expression of genes encoding antioxidant defense system, and protecting wheat plants from oxidative stress by indirectly reducing oxidative stress biomarkers andsubsequently contributing to decreasing the possible risk of Cd contamination.

New fluorescent probe for sensing of mefenamic acid in aqueous medium: An integrated experimental and theoretical analysis.

Abnormal levels of mefenamic acid (MFA) in living organisms can result in hepatic necrosis, liver, and gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, development of accurate and effective method for detection of MFA is of great significance for the protection of public health. Herein, we designed a stilbene based sensor ECO for the sensitive and selective detection of mefenamic acid by employing fluorescence spectroscopy for the first time. The developed sensor ECO displayed fluorescence turn-off response towards MFA based on PET (photoinduced electron transfer) and hydrogen bonding. The sensing mechanism of MFA was investigated through 1H NMR titration experiment and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The presence of non-covalent interaction was confirmed through spectroscopic analysis and was further supported by non-covalent interaction (NCI) analysis and Bader's quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) analysis. Additionally, the sensor ECO coated test strips were fabricated for on-site detection of mefenamic acid. Furthermore, the practical applicability of sensor ECO to detect MFA was also explored in human blood and artificial urine samples.

Strigolactone decreases cadmium concentrations by regulating cadmium localization and glyoxalase defense system: Effects on nodules organic acids and soybean yield.

To decrease environmental and human health risks associated with crop and soil contamination, alternative solutions are still needed. The information on strigolactones (SLs)-mediated elicitation of abiotic stress signaling and triggering physiological alterations is scarce in the plant. To unravel the same, soybean plants were subjected to cadmium (Cd) stress (20 mg kg-1), presence or absence of foliar applied SL (GR24) at the concentration of 10 µM. Excess Cd accumulation causes reduced growth (-52% shoot and +24% root), yield (-35%), physio-biochemical markers, organic acid production, and genes encoding heavy metal resilience in soybean. SL exogenous application decreased the growth and yield suppression (-12%), shielded chlorophyll (+3%), and prominently declined Cd-induced oxidative stress biomarkers accumulation in soybean. Moreover, SL effectively alleviates Cd-induced suppression in organic acids, superoxide dismutase (+73%), catalase activities (+117%), and increments ascorbate glutathione (ASA-GSH) cycle activities comprising ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and monodehydroascorbate reductase. SL-mediated upregulation of genes encoding heavy metals tolerance and glyoxalase defense system in Cd stressed plants. The results of this work point out that SL could be a promising player in mitigating Cd-induced injuries effectively in soybean. It acts through the antioxidant system modulation for redox homeostasis, shielding chloroplasts, enhancing photosynthetic apparatus, and elevating organic acid production in soybean plants.