Identification, validation and quantification of thymoquinone in conjunction with assessment of bioactive possessions and GC-MS profiling of pharmaceutically valuable crop Nigella (Nigella sativa L.) varieties.

Background: Plants have been pivotal in traditional and modern medicine globally, with historical evidence supporting their therapeutic applications. Nigella (Nigella sativa L.) is an annual herbaceous plant of the Ranunculaceae family and is cultivated in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Western and Central Asia. The medicinal use of plants dates back thousands of years, documented in ancient writings from various civilizations. Alkaloids, phenolics, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, anthraquinones, and tannins found in plants exhibit antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, and antidiabetic activities. Methodology: This study specifically examines the pharmacological potential of Nigella sativa L., emphasizing thymoquinone-a compound with diverse nutraceutical benefits. The extraction, characterization, and quantification of thymoquinone, alongside other physicochemical parameters, were carried out using ethanol through Soxhlet extraction procedures on five nigella varieties. HPLC analysis was performed to determine the maximum accumulation of thymoquinone in the released variety of the plant and the chemical composition of the seed oil isolated from Nigella sativa L., varieties utilized in the study was determined through GC-MS analysis. Results: The research revealed that the Ajmer nigella-20 variety stands out, exhibiting elevated levels of thymoquinone (0.20 ± 0.07%), antioxidants (76.18 ± 1.78%), and substantial quantities of total phenols (31.85 ± 0.97 mg GAEg-1 seed) and flavonoids (8.150 ± 0.360 mg QE 100 g-1 seed) compared to other varieties. The GC-MS profiling showed the presence of 11 major compounds in the studied varieties, with p-cymene, longifolene, and myristic acid identified as the major chemical compounds present in the oil. Conclusion: The observed variations among Nigella varieties indicate the Ajmer nigella-20 variety as particularly promising for thymoquinone and bioactive compound extraction. This study underscores Nigella's potential as a source of pharmacologically active compounds, highlighting the need for further exploration in therapeutic applications.

A novel flexible CO2 gas sensor based on polyvinyl alcohol/yttrium oxide nanocomposite films.

Polyvinyl alcohol/yttrium oxide (PVA/Y2O3) nanocomposite films with five different weight ratios of PVA and Y2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using a simple solution casting method. The prepared polymer nanocomposite (PNC) films were examined using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). FTIR spectra exhibited a strong interaction between the PVA matrix and Y2O3 NPs. SEM results indicated that Y2O3 NPs were properly dispersed in the PVA matrix. The thermal stability of the PVA/Y2O3 nanocomposite films was found to be dependent on Y2O3 NP loading (wt%) in the nanocomposite films. Furthermore, chemiresistive gas sensing properties of the PVA/Y2O3 nanocomposite films were evaluated and the sensing parameters including sensing response, operating temperature, selectivity, stability, response/recovery time, and repeatability were systematically investigated based on the change in electrical resistance of the nanocomposite film in the presence of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. The maximum sensing response (S) of 92.72% at a concentration of 100 ppm under an optimized operating temperature of 100 °C with a fast response/recovery time of ∼15/11 s towards CO2 gas detection was observed for the PVA/Y2O3 nanocomposite film with 5 wt% loading of Y2O3 NPs in the PVA matrix. The finding in this work suggest that Y2O3 NPs are sufficiently fast as a CO2 gas sensing material at a relatively low operating temperature. Moreover, the key role of the Y2O3 NPs in modulating the electrical and gas sensing properties of the PVA matrix is discussed here.

Optimization of biogas potential using kinetic models, response surface methodology, and instrumental evidence for biodegradation of tannery fleshings during anaerobic digestion.

The optimization of the batch size experiment was run for a hydraulic retention time of 45 days using proteolytic enzyme pretreatment. The highest amounts of biogas were produced in comparison to conventional BDS (25:75), which is not processed with enzymes, and there was an increase in the biogas generation of 13.9 and 18.57%. The kinetic models show the goodness of fit between 0.993 and 0.998 and the correlation coefficient's value domain was [-1, 1] from a statistical perspective. The Box-Behnken design was carried out using the response surface methodology at different levels of independent parameters to optimize the process. Different instruments were evaluated to determine the chemical structure change and the contamination of the different treatments and the raw sample of tannery fleshings was determined. Thermogravimetric analysis was conducted to determine the loss of weight on thermal degradation. The Fourier transform infrared spectrometry was carried out to determine the different functional groups, such as -OH, -CH, -NH, and C-O, present in the samples of tannery fleshings. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis were carried out to determine the morphological alterations in the substrate, digestate, enzyme-pretreated fleshings, and the chemical composition of samples.

Managed pollination is a much better way of increasing productivity and essential oil content of dill seeds crop.

Dill seeds (Anethum graveolens L.) is the most valuable medicinal seed spice crop of Apiaceae. It bears small yellow flowers in the form of umbels. Being a cross-pollinated crop, floral visitors play vital role in pollination and seed sets. Hence, the present study was conducted at the ICAR-National Research Centre on Seed Spices, Ajmer (Rajasthan), India to discover the pollinator's community, foraging behaviour and abundance of most frequent pollinators and different modes of pollination on seed yield and quality of this seed spice crop. The insect visitors community of dill seeds was composed of 28 insect species belonging to 14 families of 6 orders. Most of floral visitors started their foraging activity at 8.00 h, reached peak activity between 12.00 and 14.00 h and their activity ceased at 18.00 h. Apis florea, A. dorsata, A. mellifera, solitary bee, Halictus sp. and two unidentified species of Hymenoptera; Episyrphus balteatus (DeGeer), Episyrphus sp., Eristalis sp and two other Musca species of Diptera were identified as potential and regular floral visitors of dill seeds. The highest seed yield of 1505.63 kg/ha was recorded in the treated plots provided with only 10% jaggery solution and was at par with the open pollination. A lower seed yield of 1432.5 kg/ha was recorded in plots pollinated only with A. mellifera inside insect cages. Open pollination with 10% jaggery solution spray increased the seed yield of dill seed crop by 57%, one-thousand seed test weight by 96% and the essential oil content by 27% over control plots. These results show that managed pollination is a much better way to enhance yields and quality of dill seed crop than other treatments including only honeybee-based pollination.

Structure, morphology and modelling studies of polyvinylalcohol nanocomposites reinforced with nickel oxide nanoparticles and graphene quantum dots.

Nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles (NPs) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) reinforced polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite films were prepared using a solution casting technique. The physicochemical characteristics of PVA/NiO/GQDs (PNG) nanocomposite films were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The obtained PNG nanocomposite films showed good mechanical flexibility and improved tensile strength. The influence of nanofiller concentrations on PNG nanocomposite film. The obtained results demonstrate an increase in the activation energy (Ea) up to PNG3 upon increasing the GQDs concentration and thereafter, its decreases. The fundamental interactions of the constituents of PNG nanocomposite film were investigated using density functional theory (DFT). This study on electronic structure reveals that the PVA model indirectly interacts with GQDs through the NiO model. This configuration is favoured in terms of interaction energy (-78 kJ/mol) compared to the one in which PVA interacts directly with the GQDs model.

Synergistic effect of barium titanate nanoparticles and graphene quantum dots on the dielectric properties and conductivity of poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoroethylene) films.

PVDF-HFP/BaTiO3/GQDs polymer nanocomposite films with good flexibility and high dielectric constant (ϵ) at low frequency were prepared via solution casting technique. Different compositions of BaTiO3 (non-conducting ceramic nanofiller) and Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) (conducting nanofiller) utilized as co-filler were embedded in poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoroethylene) (PVDF-HFP) polymer matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were employed to characterize the prepared nanocomposite films. The mechanical properties of PVDF-HFP/BaTiO3/GQDs nanocomposite films were also investigated. Dielectric properties of nanocomposite films such as dielectric constant (ϵ), dielectric loss (tanδ) and AC conductivity ( σac ) were also determined as a function of frequency and temperature. Highest ϵ with relatively low tanδ obtained at low frequency for maximum temperature in all polymer nanocomposite films. The σac increases from lower (100 Hz) to higher frequency up to 100 kHz and drops to zero for the further increment of frequency. These results suggest that the PVDF-HFP/BaTiO3/GQDs nanocomposites are the most promising materials for energy storage applications.

Graphene quantum dot based materials for sensing, bio-imaging and energy storage applications: a review.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are an attractive nanomaterial consisting of a monolayer or a few layers of graphene having excellent and unique properties. GQDs are endowed with the properties of both carbon dots (CDs) and graphene. This review addresses applications of GQD based materials in sensing, bioimaging and energy storage. In the first part of the review, different approaches of GQD synthesis such as top-down and bottom-up synthesis methods have been discussed. The prime focus of this review is on green synthesis methods that have also been applied to the synthesis of GQDs. The GQDs have been discussed thoroughly for all the aspects along with their potential applications in sensors, biomedicine, and energy storage systems. In particular, emphasis is given to popular applications such as electrochemical and photoluminescence (PL) sensors, electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensors, humidity and gas sensors, bioimaging, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, supercapacitors and dye-sensitized solar cells. Finally, the challenges and the future perspectives of GQDs in the aforementioned application fields have been discussed.

Modelling and structural analysis of skull/cranial implant: beyond mid-line deformities.

PURPOSE: This computational study explores modelling and finite element study of the implant under Intracranial pressure (ICP) conditions with normal ICP range (7 mm Hg to 15 mm Hg) or increased ICP (>I5 mm Hg). The implant fixation points allow implant behaviour with respect to intracranial pressure conditions. However, increased fixation points lead to variation in deformation and equivalent stress. Finite element analysis is providing a valuable insight to know the deformation and equivalent stress. METHODS: The patient CT data (Computed Tomography) is processed in Mimics software to get the mesh model. The implant is modelled by using modified reverse engineering technique with the help of Rhinoceros software. This modelling method is applicable for all types of defects including those beyond the middle line and multiple ones. It is designed with eight fixation points and ten fixation points to fix an implant. Consequently, the mechanical deformation and equivalent stress (von Mises) are calculated in ANSYS 15 software with distinctive material properties such as Titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V), Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK). RESULTS: The deformation and equivalent stress results are obtained through ANSYS 15 software. It is observed that Ti6Al4V material shows low deformation and PEEK material shows less equivalent stress. Among all materials PEEK shows noticeably good result. CONCLUSIONS: Hence, a concept was established and more clinically relevant results can be expected with implementation of realistic 3D printed model in the future. This will allow physicians to gain knowledge and decrease surgery time with proper planning.

Prosthodontic treatment using vital and non vital submerged roots-two case reports.

Residual ridge resorption has been considered as an inevitable consequence after extraction of the teeth. There is a gradual loss of the alveolar bone due to the pattern of bone remodeling. In spite of the availability of newer treatment modalities like endodontic restoration and periodontic procedures for preservation of the remaining teeth they are not feasible for the patients in severe stages where restoration might not be possible. The only reliable method of preserving the remaining bone is by maintaining the functional health of the teeth. Over the years, many studies showed that roots which are fractured and left behind during extractions are retained into the alveolar bone with no evidence of pathosis. Over denture as a treatment option was developed in an effort to preserve the remaining alveolar bone by retaining the natural teeth or roots. In over denture treatment, the teeth selected as abutments are prone to caries and periodontal disease over a period of time, hence evolved the vital or non vital root submergence concept. After a thorough radiographic and clinical examination, few teeth without pathosis are retained that eventually are surgically submerged in the alveolar ridge. After healing, the over denture with reaining vital or non vital teeth preserve the integrity of the bone, making the treatment an effective and successfull preventive prosthodontic treatment.

Co-expression of recombinant human CYP2C9 with human cytochrome P450 reductase in protease deficient S. cerevisiae strain at a higher scale yields an enzyme of higher specific activity.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) isozymes play an important role in the study of drug metabolism and drug discovery. A number of reports are available that describe recombinant expression of CYP450 isozymes. In this paper, human CYP2C9 and human cytochrome P450 reductase cDNAs were cloned and expressed in Premas proprietary yeast episomal and integrative vectors respectively under the influence of GAL1 promoter. Yeast cells were grown and induced at optimal parameters to make microsomal membranes. Isolated microsomal membranes were analyzed for CYP2C9 and cytochrome P450 reductase activity, CYP2C9 content and inhibition properties. We report heterologous expression of human CYP2C9 along with human cytochrome P450 reductase in protease deficient S. cerevisiae at a 5 litre scale resulting in high yields (8-10 nmols/litre) of enzyme with higher specific activity (2-3 fold higher). This yields a superior enzyme and makes it amenable to miniaturization of screening assays with concomitant lowering of costs.