Elucidating the structure, and composition of bacterial symbionts in the gut regions of wood-feeding termite, Coptotermes formosanus and their functional profile towards lignocellulolytic systems.

The wood-feeding termite, Coptotermes formosanus, presents an efficient lignocellulolytic system, offering a distinctive model for the exploration of host-microbial symbiosis towards lignocellulose degradation. Despite decades of investigation, understanding the diversity, community structure, and functional profiles of bacterial symbionts within specific gut regions, particularly the foregut and midgut of C. formosanus, remains largely elusive. In light of this knowledge gap, our efforts focused on elucidating the diversity, community composition and functions of symbiotic bacteria inhabiting the foregut, midgut, and hindgut of C. formosanus via metagenomics. The termite harbored a diverse community of bacterial symbionts encompassing 352 genera and 26 known phyla, exhibiting an uneven distribution across gut regions. Notably, the hindgut displayed a higher relative abundance of phyla such as Bacteroidetes (56.9%) and Spirochetes (23.3%). In contrast, the foregut and midgut were predominantly occupied by Proteobacteria (28.9%) and Firmicutes (21.2%) after Bacteroidetes. The foregut harbored unique phyla like Candidate phylum_TM6 and Armatimonadetes. At the family level, Porphyromonadaceae (28.1, 40.6, and 53.5% abundance in foregut, midgut, and hindgut, respectively) and Spirochaetaceae (foregut = 9%, midgut = 16%, hindgut = 21.6%) emerged as dominant families in the termite's gut regions. Enriched operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were most abundant in the foregut (28), followed by the hindgut (14), while the midgut exhibited enrichment of only two OTUs. Furthermore, the functional analyses revealed distinct influences of bacterial symbionts on various metabolic pathways, particularly carbohydrate and energy metabolisms of the host. Overall, these results underscore significant variations in the structure of the bacterial community among different gut regions of C. formosanus, suggesting unique functional roles of specific bacteria, thereby inspiring further investigations to resolve the crosstalk between host and microbiomes in individual gut-regions of the termite.

Advancements in bacterial chemotaxis: Utilizing the navigational intelligence of bacteria and its practical applications.

The fascinating world of microscopic life unveils a captivating spectacle as bacteria effortlessly maneuver through their surroundings with astonishing accuracy, guided by the intricate mechanism of chemotaxis. This review explores the complex mechanisms behind this behavior, analyzing the flagellum as the driving force and unraveling the intricate signaling pathways that govern its movement. We delve into the hidden costs and benefits of this intricate skill, analyzing its potential to propagate antibiotic resistance gene while shedding light on its vital role in plant colonization and beneficial symbiosis. We explore the realm of human intervention, considering strategies to manipulate bacterial chemotaxis for various applications, including nutrient cycling, algal bloom and biofilm formation. This review explores the wide range of applications for bacterial capabilities, from targeted drug delivery in medicine to bioremediation and disease control in the environment. Ultimately, through unraveling the intricacies of bacterial movement, we can enhance our comprehension of the intricate web of life on our planet. This knowledge opens up avenues for progress in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and environmental conservation.

Exploring the synergistic effect of carboxymethyl cellulose and chitosan in enhancing thermal stability of polyurethanes through statistical mixture design approach.

The thermal stability of polyurethanes, known for its limitations, was addressed in this research by seeking improvement through the introduction of carbohydrate-based chain extenders. In this research paper, we systematically sought to improve the thermal resistance of polyurethanes by incorporating carboxymethyl cellulose and chitosan, representing a pioneering application of the mixture design approach in their preparation. In this synthesis, hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) were reacted to prepare -NCO terminated prepolymer, which was subsequently reacted with varying mole ratios of CMC and CSN to develop a series of five PU samples. The prepared PU samples were characterized using the Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopic technique. Thermal pyrolysis of PU samples was examined using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). It was observed that, among all the samples, PUS-3 showed remarkable thermal stability over a wide temperature range. A comprehensive statistical analysis was conducted to substantiate the experimental findings. It was estimated that CMC and CSN significantly enhance the thermal stability of the samples when involved in an interaction fashion. The ANOVA Table for the mixture design demonstrates that over 90 % of the total variation in thermal stability is explained by the mixture model across a wide temperature range. Moreover, PSU-3 exhibited 4 % more thermal stability over a wide range of temperatures on average, as compared to contemporary samples.

Multiple strategies for the development of multienzyme complex for one-pot reactions.

The main intention in the modern era is to make life and activities on earth more comfortable by adding necessary products through biological machinery. Millions of tons of biological raw materials and lignocellulosic biomass are wasted by burning each year without providing benefits to living organisms. Instead of being the cause of disturbing the natural environment by increasing global warming and pollutants worldwide, now, it is the need of the hour to develop an advanced strategy to utilize these biological raw materials to produce renewable energy resources to meet the energy crisis. The review presents the idea of multiple enzymes in one step to hydrolyze complex biomaterials into useful products. The paper discusses how multiple enzymes are arranged in a cascade for complete hydrolysis of raw material in one-pot to prevent multistep, time consuming, and expensive methods. Furthermore, there was the immobilization of multiple enzymes in a cascade system with in vitro and in vivo conditions for reusability of enzymes. The role of genetic engineering, metabolic engineering, and random mutation techniques is described for the development of multiple enzyme cascades. Techniques that are involved in the improvement of native strain to recombinant strain for the enhancement of hydrolytic capacity were used. The preparative steps, before enzymatic hydrolysis like acid, and base treatment methods are more effective for improving the hydrolysis of biomass by multiple enzymes in a one-pot system. Finally, the applications of one-pot multienzyme complexes in biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass, biosensor production, medicine, food industry, and the conversion of biopolymers into useful products are described.

Nano-Agrochemicals as Substitutes for Pesticides: Prospects and Risks.

This review delves into the mesmerizing technology of nano-agrochemicals, specifically pesticides and herbicides, and their potential to aid in the achievement of UN SDG 17, which aims to reduce hunger and poverty globally. The global market for conventional pesticides and herbicides is expected to reach USD 82.9 billion by 2027, growing 2.7% annually, with North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region being the biggest markets. However, the extensive use of chemical pesticides has proven adverse effects on human health as well as the ecosystem. Therefore, the efficacy, mechanisms, and environmental impacts of conventional pesticides require sustainable alternatives for effective pest management. Undoubtedly, nano-agrochemicals have the potential to completely transform agriculture by increasing crop yields with reduced environmental contamination. The present review discusses the effectiveness and environmental impact of nanopesticides as promising strategies for sustainable agriculture. It provides a concise overview of green nano-agrochemical synthesis and agricultural applications, and the efficacy of nano-agrochemicals against pests including insects and weeds. Nano-agrochemical pesticides are investigated due to their unique size and exceptional performance advantages over conventional ones. Here, we have focused on the environmental risks and current state of nano-agrochemicals, emphasizing the need for further investigations. The review also draws the attention of agriculturists and stakeholders to the current trends of nanomaterial use in agriculture especially for reducing plant diseases and pests. A discussion of the pros and cons of nano-agrochemicals is paramount for their application in sustainable agriculture.

Dryopteris juxtapostia Root and Shoot: Determination of Phytochemicals; Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Hepatoprotective Effects; and Toxicity Assessment.

An estimated 450 species of Dryopteris in the Dryoperidaceae family grow in Japan, North and South Korea, China, Pakistan, and Kashmir. This genus has been reported to have biological capabilities; however, research has been conducted on Dryopteris juxtapostia. Therefore, with the present study, we aimed to exploring the biological potential of D. juxtapostia root and shoot extracts. We extracted dichloromethane and methanol separately from the roots and shoots of D. juxtapostia. Antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH, FRAP, and H2O2 assays, and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated using both in vitro (antiurease activity) and in vivo (carrageenan- and formaldehyde-induced paw edema) studies. Toxicity was evaluated by adopting a brine shrimp lethality assay followed by determination of cytotoxic activity using an MTT assay. Hepatoprotective effects of active crude extracts were examined in rats. Activity-bearing compounds were tentatively identified using LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. Results suggested that D. juxtapostia root dichloromethane extract exhibited better antioxidant (DPPH, IC50 of 42.0 µg/mL; FRAP, 46.2 mmol/g; H2O2, 71% inhibition), anti-inflammatory (urease inhibition, 56.7% at 50 µg/mL; carrageenan-induced edema inhibition, 61.7% at 200 µg/mL; formaldehyde-induced edema inhibition, 67.3% at 200 µg/mL), brine shrimp % mortality (100% at 1000 µg/mL), and cytotoxic (HeLa cancer, IC50 of 17.1 µg/mL; prostate cancer (PC3), IC50 of 45.2 µg/mL) effects than D. juxtapostia root methanol extract. D. juxtapostia shoot dichloromethane and methanol extracts exhibited non-influential activity in all biological assays and were not selected for hepatoprotective study. D. juxtapostia root methanol extract showed improvement in hepatic cell structure and low cellular infiltration but, in contrast the dichloromethane extract, did not show any significant improvement in hepatocyte morphology, cellular infiltration, or necrosis of hepatocytes in comparison to the positive control, i.e., paracetamol. LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis showed the presence of albaspidin PP, 3-methylbutyryl-phloroglucinol, flavaspidic acid AB and BB, filixic acid ABA and ABB, tris-desaspidin BBB, tris-paraaspidin BBB, tetra-flavaspidic BBBB, tetra-albaspidin BBBB, and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside in the dichloromethane extract, whereas kaempferol, catechin, epicatechin, quinic acid, liquitrigenin, and quercetin 7-O-galactoside in were detected in the methanol extract, along with all the compounds detected in the dichloromethane extract. Hence, D. juxtapostia is safe, alongside other species of this genus, although detailed safety assessment of each isolated compound is obligatory during drug discovery.

Biogenic copper nanoparticles produced by using the Klebsiella pneumoniae strain NST2 curtailed salt stress effects in maize by modulating the cellular oxidative repair mechanisms.

The negative effects of salinity on plant growth and physiology are well-established, which is one of the major threats to food security in semi-arid and arid regions of the world. The current research focuses on biosynthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) from a bacterial strain NST2, which was genetically identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae based on taxonomic identity of 16S rRNA gene. The strain was selected for bioprospecting of CuNPs owing to its Cu tolerance potential. The biologically-synthesized CuNPs were confirmed in culture by using ultraviolet visible spectroscopy. The material characteristics of green CuNPs were further investigated by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, where crystallite size was ranged from 22.44 nm to 44.26 nm and particles were stabilized by various functional groups, such as carbonyl and amine groups. When 100 mg kg-1 of green CuNPs were mixed in saline soil in a pot experiment, the maize plants showed increased root and shoot length (43.52% and 44.06%, respectively), fresh weight (46.05% and 51.82%, respectively) and dry weight (47.69% and 30.63%, respectively) in comparison to control maize plants without CuNPs application. Moreover, green CuNPs at their highest treatment level (100 mg kg-1 of soil) counteracted the lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage in maize plants by promoting the activities of antioxidants and demoting the cellular levels of reactive oxygen species and ionic contents of Na+ and Cl-. Conclusively, biogenic CuNPs is an emerging and promising technique, which could replace traditional methods of salinity management in agricultural soils.

Synthesis, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiviral docking studies of ethyl 2-(2-(arylidene)hydrazinyl)thiazole-4-carboxylates.

A series of ethyl 2-(2-(arylidene)hydrazinyl)thiazole-4-carboxylates (2a-r) was synthesized in two steps from thiosemicarbazones (1a-r), which were cyclized with ethyl bromopyruvate to ethyl 2-(2-(arylidene)hydrazinyl)thiazole-4-carboxylates (2a-r). The structures of compounds (2a-r) were established by FT-IR, 1H- and 13C-NMR. The structure of compound 2a was confirmed by HRMS. The compounds (2a-r) were then evaluated for their antimicrobial and antioxidant assays. The antioxidant studies revealed, ethyl 2-(2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)hydrazinyl)thiazole-4-carboxylate (2g) and ethyl 2-(2-(1-phenylethylidene)hydrazinyl)thiazole-4-carboxylate (2h) as promising antioxidant agents with %FRSA: 84.46 ± 0.13 and 74.50 ± 0.37, TAC: 269.08 ± 0.92 and 269.11 ± 0.61 and TRP: 272.34 ± 0.87 and 231.11 ± 0.67 µg AAE/mg dry weight of compound. Beside bioactivities, density functional theory (DFT) methods were used to study the electronic structure and properties of synthesized compounds (2a-m). The potential of synthesized compounds for possible antiviral targets is also predicted through molecular docking methods. The compounds 2e and 2h showed good binding affinities and inhibition constants to be considered as therapeutic target for Mpro protein of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). The present in-depth analysis of synthesized compounds will put them under the spot light for practical applications as antioxidants and the modification in structural motif may open the way for COVID-19 drug.

Exploration of Noncovalent Interactions, Chemical Reactivity, and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Piperidone Derivatives: A Concise Theoretical Approach.

The organic compounds with a π-bond system lead to electric charge delocalization which enables them to reveal fascinating nonlinear optical properties. Mono-carbonyl curcuminoids also have an appealing skeleton from the conjugation view point. Interesting chemical structures of the 3,5-bis(arylidene)-N-benzenesulfonyl-4-piperidone derivatives motivated us to perform density functional theory (DFT)-based studies. Therefore, computations using the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) functional of DFT were executed to explore geometric parameters, highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energies, and natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses. Moreover, three different functionals such as HF, B3LYP, and M06 with the 6-311G(d,p) basis set were used to investigate the average polarizability ⟨α⟩ and first hyperpolarizability (ßtot)-based properties of all compounds. A good concurrence among calculated and experimental parameters was obtained through root mean square error calculations. The molecular stability of piperidone derivatives was examined using the Hirshfeld surface and NBO analyses. Natural population analysis was also performed to obtain insights about atomic charges. Calculated HOMO-LUMO energies showed that charge transfer interactions take place within the molecules. Moreover, global reactivity parameters including electronegativity, chemical hardness, softness, ionization potential, and electrophilicity were calculated using the HOMO and LUMO energies. The average polarizability ⟨α⟩ and first hyperpolarizability (ßtot) values of all compounds were observed to be larger in magnitude at the aforesaid functional than the standard compound.