Reduced toxic effects of nano­copper sulfate in comparison of bulk CuSO4 on biochemical parameters in the Rohu (Labeo rohita).

Considering the wide application of nanoparticles in various fields of life and growing concern regarding their toxic effects, the present study was designed with the aim to evaluate the potential risks of using copper sulfate nanoparticles (CuSO4-NPs) in comparison to bulk form. Nanoparticles of CuSO4, having mean size of 73 nm were prepared by ball milling method, and fingerlings of Labeo rohita were exposed to two levels, 20 and 100 µg L-1 of CuSO4 in both bulk and nano forms for 28 days and their comparative effects on the metallothioneins (MTs), heat shock proteins 70 (HSP 70), lipid profile, cholesterol (CHOL) and triglyceraldehyde (TG) levels, activities of some metabolic enzymes Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST) Akaline phosphatase (ALP), and genes expressions of HSP-70, TNF-α and IL1-ß were investigated. CuSO4 showed the concentration and particle type dependent effects. The over expression of HSPs and MTs, significant decreases in CHOL, TG, low density lipid (LDL) levels and ALP activity, while significant increases in high density lipid (HDL)level as well as ALT and AST activities and HSP-70, TNF-α and IL1-ß expressions were observed in response to higher concentration of both bulk and nano form of copper sulfate. At lower concentration (20 µg L-1), however, only bulk form showed toxicity. Thus, low concentrations of CuSO4-NPs pose negligible threat to freshwater fish.

A facile and simple microwave-assisted synthesis method for mesoporous ultrathin iron sulfide nanosheets as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting.

The engineering of inexpensive, high-efficiency and stable electrodes related to both the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is highly desired for full water splitting devices to promote future advances in this energy technology. Therefore, a large surface area, rich in exposed surface atoms, and mesoporosity are very effective parameters in electrochemical reactions. Herein, we have, for the first time, synthesized free-standing mesoporous Fe3S4 nanosheets with a large surface area of 129.65 m2 g-1 through a microwave-assisted synthetic technique. Our present synthesis strategy demonstrates a facile and cost-effective method to overcome the obstacles of fabricating ultrathin two-dimensional graphene-like transition metal sulfide nanosheets. The as-synthesized Fe3S4 nanosheets are applied as both cathodic and anodic electrodes for full water electrolysis. Remarkably, Fe3S4 nanosheets can exhibit a small overpotential (η = 103 mV) to provide the required 10 mA cm-2 current density during the HER process. Meanwhile, a low overpotential of 230 mV is also exhibited for the OER process to allow a 10 mA cm-2 current density. Furthermore, the assembled full water splitting device can achieve potentials of 1.43 and 1.65 V at 10 and 100 mA cm-2 current densities, respectively, in an alkaline electrolyte with excellent cycling stability over 24 h. Our current study may provide an advanced channel for transition metal sulfide catalysts towards commercial water splitting applications.

Facile One-Step Microwave-Assisted Method to Synthesize Nickel Selenide Nanosheets for High-Performance Hybrid Supercapacitor.

Nanosheets structures can be employed as the most promising electrode material to enhance electrochemical performance for supercapacitors. Nickel Selenide (Ni0.85Se) nanosheets are synthesized using a rapid microwave synthesis method in a single step. The Ni0.85Se nanosheets possess a high surface area (125 m2g-1) with a hexagonal crystalline structure. It shows magnificent electrochemical properties, such as splendid specific capacitance (2530 Fg-1 at 0.5 Ag-1). An asymmetric hybrid supercapacitor is fabricated with nickel selenide nanosheets as a positive electrode and activated carbon as a negative electrode. The assembled hybrid supercapacitor displays a high energy density of 63.5 WhKg-1 at a power density of 404 WKg-1, and after 8000 cycles, only 5% capacitance is lost along with the better voltage window at 0-1.6 V.

Dietary supplementations of methionine improve growth performances, innate immunity, digestive enzymes, and antioxidant activities of rohu (Labeo rohita).

The dietary composition of fish constitutes numerous immune and growth-promoting substance; during the current study, methionine was amended in the diet of Labeo rohita (L. rohita), in order to appraise the diverse modulatory effects of methionine supplementation. Fish were grouped into three on the basis of methionine as methionine supplemented group 1 (MSG1), methionine supplemented group 2 (MSG2), and CTRL (control group). We assessed the effects of methionine at the end. Captivating results were obtained from the methionine supplementing groups. The results depict significantly high (p < 0.05) innate immunity parameters, including myeloperoxidase, IgG concentrations, lysozyme, respiratory burst, and total bacteriolytic activity of complement in MSG2. Furthermore, ameliorate growth performances were also noticed such as high weight gain, FCE%, and body length in MSG2, respectively. We also measured high level of antioxidant digestive enzymes, gut length, and survival rate in MSG2 compared to the rest of the groups. The results were further validated by measuring the stress parameters, such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glucose, and hematocrit (HCT%), and the concentration remains low in MSG2. Lastly, after 90 days, fish were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila, the highest survival was observed in the MSG2 and MSG1 compared to CTRL. These results ultimately give the baseline to the credible effects of methionine on L. rohita.