Competence of algal consortia under municipal wastewater: remediation efficiency, photosynthetic performance, antioxidant defense mechanisms and biofuel production.

Utilizing monoalgal species for wastewater treatment is facing tremendous challenges owing to changing wastewater complexity in terms of physico-chemical characteristic, nutrient and metal concentration. The environmental conditions are also fluctuating therefore, the formation of robust system is of utmost importance for concomitant sustainable wastewater treatment and bioenergy production. In the present study, the tolerance and adaptability potential of algal consortia-1 (Chlorococcum humicola and Tetradesmus sp.) and consortia-2 (Chlorococcum humicola, Scenedesmus vacuolatus and Tetradesmus sp.) treated with municipal wastewater were examined under natural environmental conditions. The results exhibited that consortia-2 was more competent in recovering nitrate-nitrogen (82.92%), phosphorus (70.47%), and heavy metals (31-73.70%) from municipal wastewater (100%) than consortia-1. The results further depicted that total chlorophyll, carbohydrate, and protein content decreased significantly in wastewater-treated consortia-1 as compared to consortia-2. However, lipid content was increased by 4.01 and 1.17 folds in algal consortia-1 and consortia-2 compared to their respective controls. Moreover, absorption peak at 1740.6 cm-1 reflected higher biofuel-producing potential of consortia-1 as compared to consortia-2 as confirmed through FTIR spectroscopy. The results also revealed that consortia-2 showed the highest photosynthetic performance which was evident from the increment in the active photosystem-II reaction center (1.724 ± 0.068), quantum efficiency (0.633 ± 0.038), and performance index (3.752 ± 0.356). Further, a significant increase in photosynthetic parameters was observed in selected consortia at lag phase, while a noteworthy decline was observed at exponential and stationary phases in consortia-1 than consortia-2. The results also showed the maximum enhancement in ascorbic acid (2.43 folds), proline (3.34 folds), and cysteine (1.29 folds) in consortia-2, while SOD (1.75 folds), catalase (2.64 folds), and GR (1.19 folds) activity in consortia-1. Therefore, it can be concluded that due to remarkable flexibility and photosynthetic performance, consortia-2 could serve as a potential candidate for sustainable nutrient resource recovery and wastewater treatment, while consortia-1 for bio-fuel production in a natural environment. Thus, formation of algal consortia as the robust biosystem tolerates diverse environmental fluctuations together with wastewater complexity and ultimately can serve appropriate approach for environmental-friendly wastewater treatment and bioenergy production.

Assessment of different carrier materials for the preparation of microbial formulations to enhance the shelf life and its efficacy on the growth of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.).

The current study was undertaken to determine the ability of different carrier materials for sustaining the viability of microbial consortium during storage. Different bioformulations consisting of carrier material and microbial consortium were prepared and examined for viability and stability for one year stored at 4 °C and ambient temperature. Total 8 bio-formulations were prepared consisting five economically viable carriers (gluten, talc, charcoal, bentonite, broth medium) and a microbial consortium. In present study, maximum enhanced shelf-life of consortium based on colony forming unit count were recorded for talc + gluten based (B4) bioformulation (9.03 log10 cfu/g) over other bio-formulations stored for 360 days. Furthermore, the pot experiments was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of B4 formulation on growth of spinach in comparison with recommended dose of chemical fertilizer, uninoculated and no amendment control. The results depicted that B4 formulation increased biomass (176-666%), leaf area (33-123%), chlorophyll content (131-789%) and protein content (68.4-94.4%) of spinach over controls. Further B4 application significantly increased the nutrients like available nitrogen (131-475%), phosphorus (75-178%) and potassium (31-191%) of pot soil along with noteworthy improvement in root colonization as evident from scanning electron microscope analysis in comparison to controls at 60 days after sowing. Therefore, exploiting B4 formulation can serve as the environmentally sound approach to enhance the productivity, biomass and nutritional value of spinach. Thus, Plant growth promoting microbes-based formulation can be the novel paradigm to improve the soil health and eventually the crop productivity in economical and sustainable manner.

Assessment of Edaphic pollution indices and bioaccumulation of trace metals in Solanum lycopersicum, Spinacia oleracea and Triticum aestivum: an associated health risk evaluation.

The present study investigates bioaccumulation factor (Bfc), Edaphic pollution indices and associated health risk assessment of trace metals (TMs) i.e., Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn and Co in the crops, agricultural soil (AgS), and irrigation water (IgW) collected from various peri-urban area of metropolitan city of India, Lucknow. Though the level of these TMs was within the permissible limits (PL) (FAO/WHO, 2011) in AgS and IgW however it was higher than PL in tomato, spinach and wheat cultivated in the fields. The bioaccumulation factor of Cu, Fe and Mn in edible parts of tomato, spinach and wheat was 8 to 25 times higher through the AgS and 10 to 300 times higher through the IgW in the tomato, spinach and wheat samples. The enrichment factor (Efc), contamination factor (Cfc), contamination degree (Cdg) and modified contamination degree (mCdg) values of Co, Cu, Mn, Fe and Zn ranged from low to high levels of contamination, whereas the geo-accumulation index reflected low contamination in agricultural soil. on the other hand, the metal pollution load index (Mpi) was found strongly contaminated in most of the study areas. Due to the consumption of these contaminated vegetables and cereal (VCs) by human consumers, the hazard quotient (HQ), total hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) were found to be more than the requisite value of 1, which indicates a far-long health risk in this crowded city and its surrounding regions.

Antitumor action of 3-bromopyruvate implicates reorganized tumor growth regulatory components of tumor milieu, cell cycle arrest and induction of mitochondria-dependent tumor cell death.

Evidences demonstrate that metabolic inhibitor 3-bromopyruvate (3-BP) exerts a potent antitumor action against a wide range of malignancies. However, the effect of 3-BP on progression of the tumors of thymic origin remains unexplored. Although, constituents of tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a pivotal role in regulation of tumor progression, it remains unclear if 3-BP can alter the composition of the crucial tumor growth regulatory components of the external surrounding of tumor cells. Thus, the present investigation attempts to understand the effect of 3-BP administration to a host bearing a progressively growing tumor of thymic origin on tumor growth regulatory soluble, cellular and biophysical components of tumor milieu vis-à-vis understanding its association with tumor progression, accompanying cell cycle events and mode of cell death. Further, the expression of cell survival regulatory molecules and hemodynamic characteristics of the tumor milieu were analysed to decipher mechanisms underlying the antitumor action of 3-BP. Administration of 3-BP to tumor-bearing hosts retarded tumor progression accompanied by induction of tumor cell death, cell cycle arrest, declined metabolism, inhibited mitochondrial membrane potential, elevated release of cytochrome c and altered hemodynamics. Moreover, 3-BP reconstituted the external milieu, in concurrence with deregulated glucose and pH homeostasis and increased tumor infiltration by NK cells, macrophages, and T lymphocytes. Further, 3-BP administration altered the expression of key regulatory molecules involved in glucose uptake, intracellular pH and tumor cell survival. The outcomes of this study will help in optimizing the therapeutic application of 3-BP by targeting crucial tumor growth regulatory components of tumor milieu.

Environmental impact assessment of a package type IFAS reactor during construction and operational phases: a life cycle approach.

In the present study, a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach was used to analyse the environmental impacts associated with the construction and operational phases of an integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) reactor treating municipal wastewater. This study was conducted within the boundaries of a research project that aimed to investigate the implementation related challenges of a package type IFAS reactor from an environmental perspective. Along with the LCA results of the construction phase, a comparison of the LCA results of seven operational phases is also presented in this study. The results showed that among all the inputs, the use of stainless steel in the construction phase caused the highest impact on environment, followed by electricity consumption in raw materials production. The impact of the construction phase on toxicity impact indicators was found to be significant compared to all operational phases. Among the seven operational phases of this study, the dissolved oxygen phase III, having a concentration of ∼4.5 mg/L, showed the highest impact on abiotic depletion, acidification, global warming, ozone layer depletion, human toxicity, fresh water eco-toxicity, marine aquatic eco-toxicity, terrestrial eco-toxicity, and photochemical oxidation. However, better effluent quality in this phase reduced the eutrophication load on environment.

Correlations between some hazardous inorganic pollutants in the Gomti River and their accumulation in selected macrophytes under aquatic ecosystem.

Water quality of the Gomti River and phytoremediation potential of native macrophytes dwelling therein at six different sites were evaluated. River water showed high biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, nitrate, ammonium and phosphate (12.84, 77.94, 36.88, 6.04 and 2.25 mg L(-1), respectively). Gomti water was found to be contaminated with different metals like Fe, Cd, Cu, Cr and Pb (5.54, 1.05, 3.74, 2.57 and 0.73 mg L(-1), respectively). Macrophytes growing in the river accumulated considerable amounts of Fe, Cd, Cu, Cr and Pb in different parts. Among the studied plants, Eichhornia crassipes showed maximum remediation potential for Fe, Cd and Pb; Jussiaea repens for Cr; and Pistia stratiotes for Cd. However, in Typha latifolia, Cu accumulation was maximum. Except for Fe, translocation factor of E. crassipes, P. stratiotes, Hydrilla verticellata and T. latifolia was >1 for the studied metals, showing their potential to accumulate multiple metals in different plant parts.

Biliary peritonitis due to gall bladder perforation after percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

A 19-year-old male patient underwent right percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) for right renal 1.5 × 1.5 cm lower pole stone. The procedure was completed uneventfully with complete stone clearance. The patient developed peritonitis and shock 48 h after the procedure. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a large amount of bile in the abdomen along with three small perforations in the gall bladder (GB) and one perforation in the caudate lobe of the liver. Retrograde cholecystectomy was performed but the patient did not recover and expired post-operatively. This case exemplifies the high mortality of GB perforation after PNL and the lack of early clinical signs.

Selenium ameliorates arsenic induced oxidative stress through modulation of antioxidant enzymes and thiols in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Arsenic (As) contamination of rice is a major problem for South-East Asia. In the present study, the effect of selenium (Se) on rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants exposed to As was studied in hydroponic culture. Arsenic accumulation, plant growth, thiolic ligands and antioxidative enzyme activities were assayed after single (As and Se) and simultaneous supplementations (As + Se). The results indicated that the presence of Se (25 µM) decreased As accumulation by threefold in roots and twofold in shoots as compared to single As (25 µM) exposed plants. Arsenic induced oxidative stress in roots and shoots was significantly ameliorated by Se supplementation. The observed positive response was found associated with the increased activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.11), catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx; EC 1.11.1.9) and induced levels of non-protein thiols (NPTs), glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs) in As + Se exposed plants as compared to single As treatment. Selenium supplementation modulated the thiol metabolism enzymes viz., γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-ECS; EC 6.3.2.2), glutathione-S-transferase (GST; EC 2.5.1.18) and phytochelatin synthase (PCS; EC 2.3.2.15). Gene expression analysis of several metalloid responsive genes (LOX, SOD and MATE) showed upregulation during As stress, however, significant downregulation during As + Se exposure as compared to single As treatment. Gene expressions of enzymes of antioxidant and GSH and PC biosynthetic systems, such as APX, CAT, GPx, γ-ECS and PCS were found to be significantly positively correlated with their enzyme activities. The findings suggested that Se supplementation could be an effective strategy to reduce As accumulation and toxicity in rice plants.

Long-term follow-up in high-grade meningioma and outcome analysis.

Objectives: The determinants of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for higher-grade meningiomas have not been clearly established and to summarize the long-term clinical outcome for patients with grade 2 or 3 meningioma and assess the PFS and OS factors. Materials and Methods: The study included all individuals, who had undergone surgical removal of cerebral meningiomas between 2005 and 2020 and whose histological results suggested a World Health Organization (WHO) grade 2 or grade 3 diseases. Kaplan-Meier curves are plotted to examine tumor control and OS after the follow-up. The reverse Wald logistic regression and Mantel-Cox test were used in multivariate analysis for tumor recurrence and mortality. Results: There were 94 individuals enrolled with 82 having WHO grade 2 tumors and 12 having WHO grade 3 lesions. Gross total resection of the tumor was present in 73 patients (78%), and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) was administered to 43 (45.7%) individuals. During the course of the study, 17 patients died. The WHO grade of the tumor, the extent of resection, and the absence of bone involvement were all independent predictors of better survival in a multivariate analysis. Furthermore, whereas adjuvant RT after surgery enhanced survival, it was not statistically significant (hazard ratios [95% confidence interval CI] = 1.91 [0.15-23.52] [P = 0.61]). Conclusion: The degree of tumor excision is the strongest predictor of PFS and OS. In the event of a recurrence, rather than opting for upfront radiation, a second surgery with the goal of maximum safe resection should be performed.

Thespesia lampas mediated green synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles for enhanced biological applications

The present study investigated the synthesis and biological applications of green, economical, and multifunctional silver and gold nanoparticles (TSAgNPs and TSAuNPs) using the ethnomedical important medicinal plant Thespesia lampas for biological activities. Relatively higher levels of antioxidant components were measured in T. lampas compared to the well-known Adhatoda vasica, and Diplocyclos palmatus suggested the potential of T. lampas for the study. Synthesized TSAgNPs and TSAuNPs were characterized through UV-Vis, XRD, SEM-EDS, HR-TEM, SAED, and FTIR techniques. SEM revealed that TSAgNPs and TSAuNPs were predominantly spherical in shape with 19 ± 7.3 and 43 ± 6.3 nm crystal sizes. The sizes of TSAgNPs and TSAuNPs were found to be12 ± 4.8 and 45 ± 2.9 nm, respectively, according to TEM measurements. The FTIR and phytochemical analyses revealed that the polyphenols and proteins present in T. lampas may act as bio-reducing and stabilizing agents for the synthesis. Synthesized NPs exhibited enhanced scavenging properties for ABTS and DPPH radicals. TSAgNPs and TSAuNPs were able to protect DNA nicking up to 13.48% and 15.38%, respectively, from oxidative stress. TSAgNPs possessed efficient antibacterial activities in a concentration-dependent manner against human pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli, B. subtilis, P. vulgaris, and S. typhi. Furthermore, TSAgNPs and TSAuNPs showed significant cytotoxicity against FaDu HNSCC grown in 2D at 50 and 100 µg mL-1. Tumor inhibitory effects on FaDu-derived spheroid were significant for TSAgNPs > TSAuNPs at 100 µg mL-1 in 3D conditions. Dead cells were highest largely for TSAgNPs (76.65% ± 1.76%), while TSAuNPs were non-significant, and Saq was ineffectively compared with the control. However, the diameter of the spheroid drastically reduced for TSAgNPs (3.94 folds) followed by TSAuNPs (2.58 folds), Saq (1.94 folds), and cisplatin (1.83 folds) at 100 µg mL-1. The findings of the study suggested the bio-competence of TSAgNPs and TSAuNPs as multi-responsive agents for antioxidants, DNA protection, antibacterial, and anti-tumor activities to provide a better comprehension of the role of phytogenic nanoparticles in healthcare systems.

Cap2-HAP complex is a critical transcriptional regulator that has dual but contrasting roles in regulation of iron homeostasis in Candida albicans.

Iron homeostasis is highly regulated in organisms across evolutionary time scale as iron is essential for various cellular processes. In a computational screen, we identified the Yap/bZIP domain family in Candida clade genomes. Cap2/Hap43 is essential for C. albicans growth under iron-deprivation conditions and for virulence in mouse. Cap2 has an amino-terminal bipartite domain comprising a fungal-specific Hap4-like domain and a bZIP domain. Our mutational analyses showed that both the bZIP and Hap4-like domains perform critical and independent functions for growth under iron-deprivation conditions. Transcriptome analysis conducted under iron-deprivation conditions identified about 16% of the C. albicans ORFs that were differentially regulated in a Cap2-dependent manner. Microarray data also suggested that Cap2 is required to mobilize iron through multiple mechanisms; chiefly by activation of genes in three iron uptake pathways and repression of iron utilizing and iron storage genes. The expression of HAP2, HAP32, and HAP5, core components of the HAP regulatory complex was induced in a Cap2-dependent manner indicating a feed-forward loop. In a feed-back loop, Cap2 repressed the expression of Sfu1, a negative regulator of iron uptake genes. Cap2 was coimmunoprecipitated with Hap5 from cell extracts prepared from iron-deprivation conditions indicating an in vivo association. ChIP assays demonstrated Hap32-dependent recruitment of Hap5 to the promoters of FRP1 (Cap2-induced) and ACO1 (Cap2-repressed). Together our data indicates that the Cap2-HAP complex functions both as a positive and a negative regulator to maintain iron homeostasis in C. albicans.

Differential response of oxidative stress and thiol metabolism in contrasting rice genotypes for arsenic tolerance.

The mechanism of arsenic (As) tolerance was investigated on two contrasting rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes, selected for As tolerance and accumulation. One tolerant (Triguna) and one sensitive (IET-4786) variety were exposed to various arsenate (0-50 µM) levels for 7 d for biochemical analyses. Arsenic induced oxidative stress was more pronounced in IET-4786 than Triguna especially in terms of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, EC and pro-oxidant enzymes (NADPH oxidase and ascorbate oxidase). However, Triguna tolerated As stress through the enhanced enzymes activities particularly pertaining to thiol metabolism such as serine acetyl transferase (SAT), cysteine synthase (CS), γ-glutamyl cysteine synthase (γ-ECS), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) as well as arsenate reductase (AR). Besides maintaining the ratio of redox couples GSH/GSSG and ASC/DHA, the level of phytochelatins (PCs) and phytochelatin synthase (PCS) activity were more pronounced in Triguna, in which harmonized responses of thiol metabolism was responsible for As tolerance in contrast to IET-4786 showing its susceptible nature towards As exposure.

Removal of hexavalent chromium from contaminated ground water using zero-valent iron nanoparticles.

Batch experiments were conducted on ground water samples collected from a site contaminated with Cr(VI) to evaluate the redox potential of zero-valent iron (Fe(0)) nanoparticles for remediation of Cr(VI)-contaminated ground water. For this, various samples of contaminated ground water were allowed to react with various loadings of Fe(0) nanoparticles for a reaction period of 60 min. Data showed 100% reduction of Cr(VI) in all the contaminated ground water samples after treatment with 0.20 gL(-1) of Fe(0) nanoparticles. An increase in the reduction of Cr(VI) from 45% to 100% was noticed with the increase in the loading of Fe(0) nanoparticles from 0.05 to 0.20 gL(-1). Reaction kinetics of Cr(VI) reduction showed pseudo first-order kinetics with rate constant in the range of 1.1 × 10(-3) to 3.9 × 10(-3) min(-1). This work demonstrates the potential utility of Fe(0) nanoparticles in treatment and remediation of Cr(VI)-contaminated water source.

Removal of Cr(VI) by nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) from soil contaminated with tannery wastes.

The illegal disposal of tannery wastes at Rania, Kanpur has resulted in accumulation of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], a toxic heavy metal in soil posing risk to human health and environment. 27 soil samples were collected at various depths from Rania for the assessment of Cr(VI) level in soil. Out of 27 samples, five samples had shown significant level of Cr(VI) with an average concentration of 15.84 mg Kg(-1). Varied doses of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) were applied on Cr(VI) containing soil samples for remediation of Cr(VI). Results showed that 0.10 g L(-1) nZVI completely reduces Cr(VI) within 120 min following pseudo first order kinetics. Further, to test the efficacy of nZVI in field, soil windrow experiments were performed at the contaminated site. nZVI showed significant Cr(VI) reduction at field also, indicating it an effective tool for managing sites contaminated with Cr(VI).

Algal consortia based metal detoxification of municipal wastewater: Implication on photosynthetic performance, lipid production, and defense responses.

The present investigation was carried out to assess the competence of artificially engineered microalgal consortia i.e. consortia 1 (Scenedesmus vacuolatus + Chlorococcum humicola), consortia 2 (Tetradesmus sp. + Scenedesmus vacuolatus), and consortia 3 (Chlorococcum humicola + Scenedesmus vacuolatus + Tetradesmus sp.) for municipal wastewater treatment and lipid production under laboratory conditions. The purpose of the present study was to screen the competent microalgae consortia based on wastewater remediation, photosynthetic performance, and antioxidant defense responses. The outcome based on nutrient reutilization (78.98-98%), metal detoxification (50-94%), and biomass production (1.43-1.65 folds) reflected greater adaptability and tolerance of consortia 2 against different concentrations of wastewater. The photosynthetic performance parameters such as active photosystem II reaction centre, the quantum yield, and photosynthetic performance index were increased by 1.20-2.35 folds in consortia 2 after treatment with different concentrations of wastewater. Additionally, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy peak showed at 1750 cm-1 confirmed neutral lipid accumulation in consortia 2 at 100% concentration of wastewater. The measurement of oxidative stress markers such as thiobarbituric acid reactive species and hydrogen peroxide showed considerable decline in consortia 2 as compared to consortia 1 and 3. Interestingly, increased non-enzymatic (1.02-2.44 folds) and enzymatic antioxidant (1.05-4.14 folds) activity in consortia 2 reflected that oxidative stress was attenuated by the amplified activity of ascorbic acid, proline, cysteine, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione reductase. Overall, photosynthetic performance, lipid production, and antioxidants activity represented that the consortia 2 can be effectively used for sustainable wastewater treatment and lipid production. Thus, the synergistic association of two microalgae may be the superior and neoteric paradigm with multilevel benefits such as sustainable nutrient resource utilization, metal detoxification, and lipid production.

Severe contamination of carcinogenic heavy metals and metalloid in agroecosystems and their associated health risk assessment.

The contamination of toxic heavy metals (i.e., Cd, Cr, Pb, and Ni) and metalloid (i.e., As) (TMMs) is considered as a major cause of increasing incidences of human and livestock cancers, gastrointestinal disorders and neurological problems. The levels of these TMMS in soil, irrigation water, and plants like Salanum lycopersicum (tomato), Spinacia oleracea (Spinach), and Triticum aestivum (Wheat) samples were detected which were collected from various localities across 100 km around the city of Lucknow, India. This study reported that the concentration of TMMs was within the range of maximum allowable concentration (MAC) (FAO/WHO, 2011) in most of the agricultural soil, whereas, it was higher in irrigation water. The TMMs levels in the edible parts of vegetables and cereal were in the range 1.91-53.94 µg/g, 5.06-40.49 µg/g, 4.08-2312-29 µg/g, 0.43-51.48 µg/g, and 0.01-1.65 µg/g, respectively which was significantly higher than the MAC. The BAF of Cd and Ni was very high in the edible parts of the vegetables and cereal samples indicating an entry of TMMs in food chain through the metal-contaminated irrigation water, even if TMMs are low in the field soil. The contamination coefficient (Cfi) and Ecological risk factors (Efi) of the TMMs were detected in the range of low risk in all agricultural soil. The Ecological risk index (ERI) of TMMs was at moderate risk, indicating a mild impact of the metal toxicity in the agro-ecosystems but the high risk on the consumers. The daily intake (DI) of TMMs through vegetables and cereal was below the maximum allowable daily intake (MTDI) but the carcinogenic risk factor (CRs) potential of Cr, Cd, Ni, and As was observed significantly higher for these vegetables and cereal, which indicated a complex scenario of a far-future carcinogenic health hazard on consumers in densely populated city of Lucknow, India and its surrounding regions.

Assessment of heavy metal tolerance in native plant species from soils contaminated with electroplating effluent.

Heavy metals concentrations of (Cr, Zn, Fe, Cu and Ni) were determined in plants and soils contaminated with electroplating industrial effluent. The ranges of total soil Cr, Zn, Fe, Cu and Ni concentrations were found to be 1443-3240, 1376-3112, 683-2228, 263-374 and 234-335 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Metal accumulation, along with hyperaccumulative characteristics of the screened plants was investigated. Present study highlighted that metal accumulation in different plants varied with species, tissues and metals. Only one plant (Amaranthus viridis) accumulated Fe concentrations over 1000 mg kg⁻¹. On the basis of TF, eight plant species for Zn and Fe, three plant species for Cu and two plant species for Ni, could be used in phytoextraction technology. Although BAF of all plant species was lesser than one, these species exhibited high metal adaptability and could be considered as potential hyperaccumulators. Phytoremediation potential of these plants can be used to remediate metal contaminated soils, though further investigation is still needed.

PARP-1 induces EMT in non-small cell lung carcinoma cells via modulating the transcription factors Smad4, p65 and ZEB1.

AIM: To study the role of PARP-1 in EMT of non-small cell lung carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used H1299 and H460 lung cancer cells for knockdown study of PARP-1 using shPARP-1 lentiviral particle. We performed western blotting, confocal microscopy, semi-quantitative PCR, wound healing and colony formation assays. BACKGROUND AND KEY FINDINGS: PARP-1 (poly-ADP ribose polymerase-1) is a multi-domain protein having DNA binding, auto-modification and catalytic domain, that participates in many biological processes including DNA damage detection and repair, transcription regulation, apoptosis, necrosis, cancer progression and metastasis. Metastasis is a leading cause of death in cancer patients, which starts in epithelial tumors via initiating epithelial to mesenchymal transition. There are various transcription factors involved in EMT including Snail-1, Smads, p65, ZEB1 and Twist1. We studied the effect of PARP-1 knockdown on EMT in non-small cell lung cancer cell line H1299. We found a significant increase in epithelial marker including ZO1 and ß-catenin, while prominent decrease in the mesenchymal marker vimentin after PARP-1 knockdown in H1299 cells. Transcription factors including p65, Smad4 and ZEB1 showed significant decrease with concurrent expression of EMT markers. Cell migration and colony formation decreased after PARP-1 knockdown in H1299 cells. SIGNIFICANCE: Overall, the shRNA mediated knockdown of PARP-1 in H1299 cells resulted in reversal of EMT or mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) characterized by an increase in epithelial markers and a decrease in mesenchymal markers, via down-regulating transcription factors including Smad4, p65 and ZEB1. Thus PARP-1 has a role in EMT in lung cancer.

Optimization of culture conditions for mass production and bio-formulation of Trichoderma using response surface methodology.

Use of agro-waste for production of value added products is a good alternative for developing low-cost carriers for formulation of Trichoderma-based bio-products. It provides avenues for safe utilization of wastes, while reducing cost and environment pollution load of waste disposal. The present study was undertaken to find suitable agro-waste for economical and higher mass production of Trichoderma lixii TvR1 under solid-state fermentation, optimizing culture conditions using mathematical model and assessing effect of formulated bio-product on growth of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea). Among various agro-wastes screened, sugarcane bagasse was observed to support maximum growth (20.08 × 107 spores/g) of T. lixii TvR1 which was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than the others. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize culture conditions using optimal point prediction analysis which predicted that maximum spore production of T. lixii TvR1 (19.1245 × 107 spores/g) will be obtained at 30 °C and 68.87% of moisture content after 31 days of incubation. Amendment of formulated bio-product of T. lixii TvR1 in soil at concentration 15% w/w promoted biomass, photosynthetic pigments, and protein content of spinach (significant at p ≤ 0.05). After 6 weeks of sowing the shoot length, root length, and photosynthetic pigments of plants irrigated daily and on alternate days were reported to be increased by 66.97, 185.03, and 82.80%; and 56.56, 71.36, and 74.64%, respectively; over the no amendment.

Protective and recuperative effects of 3-bromopyruvate on immunological, hepatic and renal homeostasis in a murine host bearing ascitic lymphoma: Implication of niche dependent differential roles of macrophages.

3-bromopyruvate (3-BP) possesses promising antineoplastic potential, however, its effects on immunological homeostasis vis a vis hepatic and renal functions in a tumor bearing host remain unclear. Therefore, the effect of 3-BP administration to a murine host bearing a progressively growing tumor of thymoma origin, designated as Dalton's lymphoma (DL), on immunological, renal and hepatic homeostasis was investigated. Administration of 3-BP (4 mg/kg) to the tumor bearing host reversed tumor growth associated thymic atrophy and splenomegaly, accompanied by altered cell survival and repertoire of splenic, bone marrow and tumor associated macrophages (TAM). TAM displayed augmented phagocytic, tumoricidal activities and production of IL-1 and TNF-α. 3-BP-induced activation of TAM was of indirect nature, mediated by IFN-γ. Blood count of T lymphocytes (CD4+ & CD8+) and NK cells showed a rise in 3-BP administered tumor bearing mice. Moreover, 3-BP administration triggered modulation of immunomodulatory cytokines in serum along with refurbished hepatic and renal functions. The study indicates the role of altered cytokines balance, site specific differential macrophage functions and myelopoiesis in restoration of lymphoid organ homeostasis in 3-BP administered tumor bearing host. These observations will have long lasting impact in understanding of alternate mechanisms underlying the antitumor action of 3-BP accompanying appraisal of safety issues for optimizing its antineoplastic actions.