Molecular mechanism of nanomaterials induced liver injury: A review.

The unique physicochemical properties inherent to nanoscale materials have unveiled numerous potential applications, spanning beyond the pharmaceutical and medical sectors into various consumer industries like food and cosmetics. Consequently, humans encounter nanomaterials through diverse exposure routes, giving rise to potential health considerations. Noteworthy among these materials are silica and specific metallic nanoparticles, extensively utilized in consumer products, which have garnered substantial attention due to their propensity to accumulate and induce adverse effects in the liver. This review paper aims to provide an exhaustive examination of the molecular mechanisms underpinning nanomaterial-induced hepatotoxicity, drawing insights from both in vitro and in vivo studies. Primarily, the most frequently observed manifestations of toxicity following the exposure of cells or animal models to various nanomaterials involve the initiation of oxidative stress and inflammation. Additionally, we delve into the existing in vitro models employed for evaluating the hepatotoxic effects of nanomaterials, emphasizing the persistent endeavors to advance and bolster the reliability of these models for nanotoxicology research.

The Emerging Role of Natural Products in Cancer Treatment.

The exploration of natural products as potential agents for cancer treatment has garnered significant attention in recent years. In this comprehensive review, we delve into the diverse array of natural compounds, including alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, lignans, polyketides, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids, highlighting their emerging roles in cancer therapy. These compounds, derived from various botanical sources, exhibit a wide range of mechanisms of action, targeting critical pathways involved in cancer progression such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Through a meticulous examination of preclinical and clinical studies, we provide insights into the therapeutic potential of these natural products across different cancer types. Furthermore, we discuss the advantages and challenges associated with their use in cancer treatment, emphasizing the need for further research to optimize their efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and delivery methods. Overall, this review underscores the importance of natural products in advancing cancer therapeutics and paves the way for future investigations into their clinical applications.

Antioxidant enzyme activity and pathophysiological responses in the freshwater walking catfish, Clarias batrachus Linn under sub-chronic and chronic exposures to the neonicotinoid, Thiamethoxam®.

The hydrophilic nature and resultant persistence of neonicotinoids in aquatic systems increase the exposure duration for non-target organisms. The sublethal toxicity of the neonicotinoid Thiamethoxam® spanning sub-chronic and chronic durations was investigated in Clarias batrachus, a non-target freshwater fish species. 96 h LC50 value of Thiamethoxam® on Clarias batrachus was 138.60 mg L-1. Pre-determined exposure concentrations of Thiamethoxam® (6.93 and 13.86 mg L-1) were used and effects were assessed at days 15, 30, and 45 exposure intervals. Biomarker effects were evaluated using antioxidant enzyme responses (CAT, SOD) neurotransmission (acetylcholinesterase activity), haematological and serum biochemistry changes (including haemoglobin content, total erythrocyte count, and serum albumin total leukocyte count, total serum protein, serum globulin, triglyceride, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, phospholipid, and total serum glucose), histopathological alterations (gill and liver). Thiamethoxam®-exposed fish showed a marked reduction in haemoglobin content, total erythrocyte count, and serum albumin levels compared to control fish. Similarly, gill and liver antioxidant enzyme activity (CAT, SOD) and neurotransmission (acetylcholinesterase) also showed altered responses between sub-chronic exposure on day-15 and chronic responses on day-45. Histopathological observations in gill tissue revealed alterations ranging from vacuolation, hypertrophy, disruption of primary lamellar architecture, haemorrhage, the fusion of secondary lamella, and sloughing of outer epithelia. For liver tissue of exposed fish histopathological observations included increased sinusoidal spaces (ISS), necrosis of hepatocytes (NOH), nuclear degeneration (ND), disruption of architecture (DOA), macrophage infiltration of the central vein, vacuolation (V), hypertrophied hepatocytes, and haemorrhages. The gradients of toxic responses across exposure concentrations and depictions of impaired fish health with increasing thiamethoxam® exposure duration portend lowered physiological capacity for survival in the wild.

Identification through DNA barcoding of Tabanidae (Diptera) vectors of surra disease in India.

Horse flies and deer flies are common names applied to members of the family Tabanidae (Diptera). Tabanid flies are pestiferous and of veterinary and medical importance, with about 244 species in India. They are major vectors of Trypanosoma evansi that causes trypanosomiasis (surra disease). Lack of stable morphological characters, and scarcity of taxonomic expertise, is major impediments for accurate species identification of these important pest and disease vectors. Molecular data, especially DNA barcode data, has been widely used in the identification of Diptera of economic importance. We evaluated the utility of DNA barcode data to discriminate the vectors of surra disease (trypanosomiasis) from India. We used barcode gap and reciprocal monophyly (neighbor-joining and Bayesian tree) criteria to analyze barcode data. A total of 46 specimens belonging to 7 species under four genera in two subfamilies were used for this study. DNA barcode data was not available previously for these species. Analysis revealed that all morphologically identifiable species can be discriminated using DNA barcoding data. Further, our study clearly demonstrated the presence of cryptic species in Chrysops dispar. Moreover, we revealed that closely related species without stable taxonomic distinguishing characters in the "Tabanus striatus species complex" can be discriminated using DNA barcode data.

A new species of Taeniothrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) from India.

Taeniothrips bharokariiensis sp. n. is described from specimens collected on ferns from Himachal Pradesh state of India. This is the third species in which S2 setae on abdominal sternite VII are positioned marginally. Partial sequence data of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (mtCOI) from holotype and paratypes is provided.

The genus Ctenothrips from India (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) with description of one new species and one new record.

Ctenothrips barapatharensis sp.n. is described from specimens collected on ferns from Himachal Pradesh state of India. This is the only species in this genus having dark thickenings attached to fore ocellus. Ctenothrips niger Kudô is newly recorded from India, and the brachypterous form is described for the first time. A key to the three species of Ctenothrips from India is provided.