Optimizing Nitrogen Sources in Top Dressing for Wheat: Field Study on Growth, Yield, and Ammonia Volatilization.

In alkaline calcareous soils, ammonia volatilization is the primary nitrogen (N) loss process, resulting in the reduced N use efficiency of crops. This study aimed at assessing the impact of different N sources for top dressing on ammonia volatilization, as well as their effects on wheat growth and yield over two years. In each year, half of the recommended N was applied as a basal dose using diammonium phosphate (DAP) and urea. The remaining half was top-dressed 35 days after sowing with various sources: prilled urea (PU), granular urea (GU), ammonium sulfate (AS), and calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) in the first year; PU, urea coated with a urease inhibitor from 20 g (VnU-20) and 40 g (VnU-40) leaves of Vachellia nilotica, biochar-coated urea (BU), and urease inhibitor paraphenylenediamine-coated urea (PPDU) in the second year. Ammonia volatilization losses were tracked for up to 12 weeks from sowing. Ammonia losses from basal-applied N remained consistent in both years, comprising around 4% of the applied N. In the first year, top-dressed AS resulted in the highest losses, followed by GU, while losses from urea and CAN were statistically similar. In the second year, coated fertilizers showed lower ammonia losses compared to PU, with VnU-40 displaying the least losses, 48% less than PU. Nitrogen concentration in wheat grain and straw exhibited a negative correlation with ammonia losses. The choice of top-dressed N source influenced tillering, biological, straw, and grain yields of wheat. In the first year, CAN provided maximum yield benefits, and in the second year, VnU-20 exhibited 27% more grain yield than PU. These findings suggest that top dressing with coated urea, especially VnU-20, has the potential to reduce ammonia losses, improve crop nitrogen status, and enhance economic yield compared to other nitrogen sources.

Lignin Nanoparticles: Transforming Environmental Remediation.

In the face of escalating environmental challenges driven by human activities, the quest for innovative solutions to counter pollution, contamination, and ecological degradation has gained paramount importance. Traditional approaches to environmental remediation often fall short in addressing the complexity and scale of modern-day environmental problems. As industries transition towards sustainable paradigms, the exploration of novel materials and technologies becomes crucial. Lignin nanoparticles have emerged as a promising avenue of exploration in this context. Once considered a mere byproduct, lignin's unique properties and versatile functional groups have propelled it to the forefront of environmental remediation research. This review paper delves into the resurgence of lignin from an environmental perspective, examining its pivotal role in carbon cycling and its potential to address various environmental challenges. The paper extensively discusses the synthesis, properties, and applications of lignin nanoparticles in diverse fields such as water purification and soil remediation. Moreover, it highlights the challenges associated with nanoparticle deployment, ranging from Eco toxicological assessments to scalability issues. Multidisciplinary collaboration and integration of research findings with real-world applications are emphasized as critical factors for unlocking the transformative potential of lignin nanoparticles. Ultimately, this review underscores lignin nanoparticles as beacons of hope in the pursuit of cleaner, healthier, and more harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature through innovative environmental remediation strategies.

Enhanced aqueous phosphorus removal and mechanism by water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk) pretreated with lanthanum nitrate.

Excess nutrients such as phosphate (PO43-) entering surface waters promote eutrophication, and phosphorous (P) removal is important to clear the water. Phytoremediation efforts have been used to improve water quality by varieties of P removal plants, such as water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk). Water spinach can reduce both internal and external resources of phosphorus from waterbody. The ion of lanthanum (La), one rare earth element (REE), is an immobilization substance for aqueous phosphate and also a fertilizer for plants. Therefore, lanthanum nitrate La (NO3)3 was used further to improve the phytoextraction of P from the polluted water. This study investigated the effects of La on the aqueous P removal by two genotypes of water spinach, green stem large leaves (GSLL) and green stem willow leaves (GSWL). The low concentration La (NO3)3 helped the plant to remove more phosphorous from eutrophic water, but La at high concentration lowered the removal of P. Under La (NO3)3 treatments, the optimum concentration for maximum P removal in GSLL is 3 mg/L, and for GSWL, it is 10 mg/L and P removal rates were enhanced to 95% and 96%, respectively. When the concentration of La (NO3)3 is 100 mg/L, the removal percentage of P was only 10% for both genotypes. The very high concentration of La will impose toxicity and even cause the death of the water spinach and produce secondary pollution; for example, under some specific circumstances, the bond between lanthanum and nitrates dissociates into lanthanum ions (La3⁺) and nitrate ions (NO3⁻). If the concentration is high, then it accumulates in the aquatic water organisms and plants and causes toxicity in their bodies. If humans eat up these plants and fish, it causes toxic effects in humans. The La (NO3)3 positively affects different parameters of plants. La (NO3)3 increases the growth, pigments, enzyme activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) of plants which were also discussed in this study. The biological mechanism should be responsible for the enhanced aqueous phosphorus removal by water spinach using lanthanum nitrate.

Innovative Adsorbents for Pollutant Removal: Exploring the Latest Research and Applications.

The growing presence of diverse pollutants, including heavy metals, organic compounds, pharmaceuticals, and emerging contaminants, poses significant environmental and health risks. Traditional methods for pollutant removal often face limitations in efficiency, selectivity, and sustainability. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements in innovative adsorbents designed to address these challenges. It explores a wide array of non-conventional adsorbent materials, such as nanocellulose, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), graphene-based composites, and biochar, emphasizing their sources, structural characteristics, and unique adsorption mechanisms. The review discusses adsorption processes, including the basic principles, kinetics, isotherms, and the factors influencing adsorption efficiency. It highlights the superior performance of these materials in removing specific pollutants across various environmental settings. The practical applications of these adsorbents are further explored through case studies in industrial settings, pilot studies, and field trials, showcasing their real-world effectiveness. Additionally, the review critically examines the economic considerations, technical challenges, and environmental impacts associated with these adsorbents, offering a balanced perspective on their viability and sustainability. The conclusion emphasizes future research directions, focusing on the development of scalable production methods, enhanced material stability, and sustainable regeneration techniques. This comprehensive assessment underscores the transformative potential of innovative adsorbents in pollutant remediation and their critical role in advancing environmental protection.

Evaluation of the Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Potential of Extract Fraction of Quercus baloot Griff seeds in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Mice.

INTRODUCTION: The discovery and development of new phytomedicines can be greatly aided by plants because of their tremendous therapeutic benefits, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, lack of side effects, and cheaper therapies. In this regard, Quercus baloot, generally known as oak, is used in folkloric medicine for treating and preventing various human disorders, including diabetes. AIM: For this purpose, the present study aimed to evaluate crude methanolic extract and various fractions of Quercus baloot for antihyperlipidemic and antihyperglycemic potential followed by the analysis of active compounds. METHOD: The hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity was evaluated in Swiss male Albino mice by administering an oral dose of 150-300 mg/kg of Q. baloot extracts in alloxan induced diabetic mice for 14 days. RESULTS: The results revealed that crude methanolic extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg exhibited a significant reduction in the blood glucose level (198.50 ± 1.99 mg/dl) at day 14 and the same treatment significantly increased the body weight (31.26 ± 0.27g) at day 14 in comparison to the control group. Moreover, the biochemical parameters were investigated which presented an increase in high-density lipids (HDL) (30.33 ± 0.33 mg/dl), whereas Low-Density Lipids (LDL) showed a significant decrease (105.66 ± 0.26 mg/dl). Additionally, triglyceride levels 104.83 ± 0.70 mg/dl, and total cholesterol 185.50 ± 0.76 mg/dl are significantly decreased. In serum biochemical analysis creatinine and hepatic enzyme markers, like serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (32.00 ± 0.36 U/mg), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (34.33 ± 0.61 U/mg), and alkaline phosphatase (157.00 ± 0.73 U/mg), were significantly reduced by the crude methanolic extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg as compared to the control group. The antioxidant enzymes like Superoxide dismutase (4.57 ± 0.011), peroxidases dismutase (6.53 ± 0.014, and catalase (8.38 ± 0.014) at a dosage of 300 mg/kg of methanolic extract exhibited a significant increase. The histopathological study of the diabetic heart, liver, and pancreas showed substantial restoration of damaged tissues in the methanolic extract 150 and 300 mg/kg treated group, which supports the effectiveness of Q. baloot seeds. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of methanolic extract identified 10 antidiabetic active compounds in the Q. baloot seeds, validating the antihyperglycemic activity. Thus, methanolic crude extract at the doses 150 and 300 mg/kg of Q. baloot showed significant antihyperlipidemic and antihyperglycemic activities, which validate the folkloric utilization of Q. baloot as a remedy in diabetes. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the 300 mg/kg methanolic extract of Q. baloot has notable hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic potential, supporting the plant's traditional medicinal usage in the treatment of diabetes and its complications. Further studies are needed for the purification, characterization, and structural clarification of bioactive compounds.

Circle of Vieussens: Its Importance in the Presence of Significant Coronary Artery Stenosis in a 26-Year-Old Female With Kawasaki Disease.

In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), collateral circulation aids in sustaining myocardial perfusion and cardiac function. The circle of Vieussens is a rare collateral pathway between the right coronary artery and the left anterior descending artery (LAD) that plays a significant role specifically in patients with chronic total occlusions (CTOs). This article presents a unique case of the circle of Vieussens in a 26-year-old Asian female with a history of Kawasaki disease and CTO of the proximal LAD. Despite the CTO, the patient remains asymptomatic and maintains normal left ventricular function, attributed to an effective collateral network including a right-to-left arterial ring providing TIMI 3 flow. The case illustrates the crucial role of collateral circulation in managing complex coronary anomalies and underscores the need for comprehensive cardiac evaluations in patients with Kawasaki disease. This finding also highlights the potential of the circle of Vieussens as a lifesaving alternate conduit in severe CAD scenarios.

Enhanced photodynamic therapy of curcumin using biodegradable PLGA coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles.

Since the available treatments are not highly effective to combat cancer, therefore, the alternative strategies are unavoidable. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of the emerging approaches which is target specific and minimally invasive. This study explores the successful development of Poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) and their augmented effects achieved by integrating curcumin (Cur) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in the polymeric layer and silica's pores, respectively. The synthesized nanocarriers (Cur-PLGA-cMSNs) have shown preferential targeting to the cellular organelles facilitated by CTAB's and Cur's affinity to mitochondria. CTAB and Cur-based PDT induced oxidative stress and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in dysfunctional mitochondria and triggered apoptotic pathways. PLGA coating has produced multifunctional effects, including; gatekeeping effects at pore openings, providing an extra loading site, enhancing the hemocompatibility of MSNs, and masking the free cur-related prolonged coagulation time. Cur-PLGA-cMSNs, as a multifaceted and combative approach with synergistic effects demonstrate promising potential to enhance outcomes in cancer treatment.

Interpreting and visualizing pathway analyses using embedding representations with PAVER.

Omics studies use large-scale high-throughput data to explain changes underlying different traits or conditions. However, omics analysis often results in long lists of pathways that are difficult to interpret. Therefore, it is of interest to describe a tool named PAVER (Pathway Analysis Visualization with Embedding Representations) for large scale genomic analysis. PAVER curates similar pathways into groups, identifies the pathway most representative of each group, and provides publication-ready intuitive visualizations. PAVER clusters pathways defined by their vector embedding representations and then identifies the term most cosine similar to its respective cluster's average embedding. PAVER can integrate multiple pathway analyses, highlight relevant biological insights, and work with any pathway database.

Reactivity of Ultrathin Kagome Metal FeSn toward Oxygen and Water.

The kagome metal FeSn consists of alternating layers of kagome-lattice Fe3Sn and honeycomb Sn2 and exhibits great potential for applications in future low-energy electronics and spintronics because of an ideal combination of topological phases and high-temperature magnetic ordering. Robust synthesis methods for ultrathin FeSn films, as well as an understanding of their air stability, are crucial for its development and long-term operation in future devices. In this work, we realize large-area, <10 nm thick, epitaxial FeSn thin films and explore the oxidation process via synchrotron-based photoelectron spectroscopy using in situ oxygen and water dosing, as well as ex situ air exposure. Upon exposure to the atmosphere, the FeSn films are shown to be highly reactive, with a stable ∼3 nm thick oxide layer forming at the surface within 10 min. Notably, the surface Fe remains largely unoxidized when compared with Sn, which undergoes near-complete oxidation. Additionally, the band structure remains metallic under oxygen exposure. These are further confirmed with controlled in situ dosing of O2 and H2O, where only the Sn2 (stanene) interlayers within the FeSn lattice oxidize, suggesting the Fe3Sn kagome layers remain almost pristine. These results are in excellent agreement with first-principles calculations, which show that Fe-O bonds to the Fe3Sn layer are energetically unfavorable and a large formation energy preference of 1.37 eV for Sn-O bonds in the stanene Sn2 layer over Sn-O bonds in the kagome Fe3Sn layer. The demonstration that oxidation only occurs within the stanene layers and the preservation of the Dirac bands may provide additional avenues in how to engineer, handle, and prepare future kagome metal devices.

Rhizofungus Aspergillus terreus Mitigates Heavy Metal Stress-Associated Damage in Triticum aestivum L.

Industrial waste and sewage deposit heavy metals into the soil, where they can remain for long periods. Although there are several methods to manage heavy metals in agricultural soil, microorganisms present a promising and effective solution for their detoxification. We isolated a rhizofungus, Aspergillus terreus (GenBank Acc. No. KT310979.1), from Parthenium hysterophorus L., and investigated its growth-promoting and metal detoxification capabilities. The isolated fungus was evaluated for its ability to mitigate lead (25 and 75 ppm) and copper (100 and 200 ppm) toxicity in Triticum aestivum L. seedlings. The experiment utilized a completely randomized design with three replicates for each treatment. A. terreus successfully colonized the roots of wheat seedlings, even in the presence of heavy metals, and significantly enhanced plant growth. The isolate effectively alleviates lead and copper stress in wheat seedlings, as evidenced by increases in shoot length (142%), root length (98%), fresh weight (24%), dry weight (73%), protein content (31%), and sugar content (40%). It was observed that wheat seedlings possess a basic defense system against stress, but it was insufficient to support normal growth. Fungal inoculation strengthened the host's defense system and reduced its exposure to toxic heavy metals. In treated seedlings, exposure to heavy metals significantly upregulated MT1 gene expression, which aided in metal detoxification, enhanced antioxidant defenses, and maintained metal homeostasis. A reduction in metal exposure was observed in several areas, including normalizing the activities of antioxidant enzymes that had been elevated by up to 67% following exposure to Pb (75 mg/kg) and Cu (200 mg/kg). Heavy metal exposure elevated antioxidant levels but also increased ROS levels by 86%. However, with Aspergillus terreus colonization, ROS levels stayed within normal ranges. This decrease in ROS was associated with reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, enhanced membrane stability, and restored root architecture. In conclusion, rhizofungal colonization improved metal tolerance in seedlings by decreasing metal uptake and increasing the levels of metal-binding metallothionein proteins.

Unlocking the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of polysaccharide fractions from Lepidium sativum seed-coat mucilage.

Inflammation coupled with oxidative stress contribute to the pathogenicity of various clinical disorders. Oxidative stress arises from an imbalance between production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defense system, leading to cellular damages. The study investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of polysaccharides isolated from Lepidium sativum seed-coat mucilage. The water-soluble polysaccharides were extracted from mucilage and fractionated using gel permeation chromatography. The radical scavenging potential of various fractions was determined using DPPH, H2O2, and lipid peroxidation assays. The most effective EC50 was recorded for F53 (57.41 ± 1.34 µg/mL), followed by F20 (69.19 ± 0.61 µg/mL) and F52 (75.06 ± 0.45 µg/mL). In vitro anti-inflammatory effect was determined through human membrane stabilization assay while the in vivo effect was evaluated using a carrageenan-induced paw edema in mouse model where F53 demonstrated significant (P = 0.05) anti-inflammatory potential (92.60 % compared to diclofenac sodium 91.46 %). GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of galacturonic acid and glucuronic acid as main acidic monosaccharides along with varying quantities of rhamnose, arabinose, and maltose as prominent neutral monosaccharides. The study concludes that cress seed mucilage contains potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory polysaccharides. Further studies on the mode of action of these polysaccharides could provide deeper insights into their potential use as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

IAA is more effective than EDTA in enhancing phytoremediation potential for cadmium and copper contaminated soils.

Enhanced phytoremediation offers a rapid and eco-friendly approach for cleaning agricultural soil contaminated with copper and cadmium which pose a direct threat to food scarcity and security. The current study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the two commonly used additives, IAA and EDTA, for the remediation of copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) contaminated soils using sunflower and maize. The plants were cultivated in pots under controlled conditions with four sets of treatments: control (0), Cu50/Cd50, Cu50/Cd50 + EDTA, and Cu50/Cd50 + IAA. The results showed that Cu50/Cd50 mg/kg drastically compromised the phytoremediation potential of both plants, as evident by reduced shoot and root length, and lower biomass. However, the augmentation of Cu50/Cd50 with EDTA or IAA improved the tested parameters. In sunflower, EDTA enhanced the accumulation of Cu and Cd by 58% and 21%, respectively, and improved plant biomass by 41%, compared to control treatment. However, IAA exhibited higher accumulation of Cu and Cd by 64% and 25%, respectively, and enhanced plant biomass by 43%. In case of maize, IAA was superior to EDTA which enhanced the accumulation of Cu and Cd by 87% and 32% respectively, and increased the plant biomass by 57%, compared to control treatment. Our findings demonstrate that foliar IAA is more effective than EDTA in enhancing the phytoremediation potential of sunflower and maize for Cu and Cd.

Piplartine attenuates aminoglycoside-induced TRPV1 activity and protects from hearing loss in mice.

Hearing loss is a major health concern in our society, affecting more than 400 million people worldwide. Among the causes, aminoglycoside therapy can result in permanent hearing loss in 40% to 60% of patients receiving treatment, and despite these high numbers, no drug for preventing or treating this type of hearing loss has yet been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. We have previously conducted high-throughput screenings of bioactive compounds, using zebrafish as our discovery platform, and identified piplartine as a potential therapeutic molecule. In the present study, we expanded this work and characterized piplartine's physicochemical and therapeutic properties. We showed that piplartine had a wide therapeutic window and neither induced nephrotoxicity in vivo in zebrafish nor interfered with aminoglycoside antibacterial activity. In addition, a fluorescence-based assay demonstrated that piplartine did not inhibit cytochrome C activity in microsomes. Coadministration of piplartine protected from kanamycin-induced hair cell loss in zebrafish and protected hearing function, outer hair cells, and presynaptic ribbons in a mouse model of kanamycin ototoxicity. Last, we investigated piplartine's mechanism of action by phospho-omics, immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, and molecular dynamics experiments. We found an up-regulation of AKT1 signaling in the cochleas of mice cotreated with piplartine. Piplartine treatment normalized kanamycin-induced up-regulation of TRPV1 expression and modulated the gating properties of this receptor. Because aminoglycoside entrance to the inner ear is, in part, mediated by TRPV1, these results suggested that by regulating TRPV1 expression, piplartine blocked aminoglycoside's entrance, thereby preventing the long-term deleterious effects of aminoglycoside accumulation in the inner ear compartment.

Biological and Photocatalytic Activities of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from the Leaf Extract of Euphorbia royleana Boiss.

INTRODUCTION: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained significance due to their practical use in the medicinal field, especially in the treatment of tumors and cancer. The current article explores a green synthetic method for the preparation of AgNPs using leaf extract of Euphorbia royleanas. METHODS: The synthesis was conducted at different parameters like concentration of AgNO3, pH, salt concentration, temperature and time to optimize best results for their biochemical applications. It was validated through UV-V spectroscopy (400-450 nm) with 1:3 (concentration ratio of leaf ethanolic extract and 1 mM AgNO3 solution) at a pH value of 8 at 35oC, which were the best optimization conditions. The FTIR spectral bands showed the presence of C-N and -OH functional groups, indicating that -OH stretching and the aliphatic -C-H stretching were involved in the reduction of Ag ions. The XRD pattern showed the face-centered cubic structure of silver nanoparticles. The results of SEM revealed that AgNPs were predominantly spherical in shape, mono-dispersed, and arranged in scattered form. EDX analysis testified the presence of metallic silver along with other elements like Cl, C, and O. RESULTS: The investigation of biochemical parameters showed that AgNPs were influential in the discoloration of dye wastewater (methylene blue ), where 80% of dye color was removed in 20 min, followed by the significant (p < 0.05) analgesic activity with an inhibition percentage of 86.45% at a dose of 500 mg/kg. CONCLUSION: Similarly, the antioxidant activity with the highest percent inhibition was 55.4% (p < 0.0001), shown by the AgNPs at 500 µg/mL. AgNPs showed a 30 mm zone of inhibition at 100 µl/mL against Aspergillus niger. It was concluded that AgNPs provide a baseline in medical technology for the treatment of simple to chronic diseases.

Effects of smokeless nicotine on blood physiology, biochemical, and histological alterations using Labeo rohita as a model organism.

Objective: The present research was conducted to evaluate the negative effects of nicotine powder on the blood physiology, and biochemical and histological alterations of Labeo rohita. Materials and Methods: Fish were divided into four groups (1-4). Fish groups 2, 3, and 4 were exposed to different concentrations of nicotine, such as 0.75, 1.25, and 1.75 mg/l, while group 1 acted as a control. To find out the long-term impact of nicotine on body physiology, we conducted a 42-day experiment. After the completion of the experiment, hematology, biochemical assays, and histology were done. Results: Results revealed a considerable increase in HGB, red blood cells, WBCs, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, red cell distribution width -SD, procalcitonin, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, globulin, thyroid stimulating hormone, BUN, creatinine, and blood glucose levels, whereas mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, RDW, platelet, high-density lipoprotein, albumin, total proteins, and T3 levels were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased in exposed fish as compared to control group fish. Histological alterations showed that exposure to smokeless nicotine causes deleterious and degenerative effects in the liver, kidney, and gills of exposed fish. Conclusion: Nicotine administration in fish results in adverse effects on different biochemical and hematological parameters and causes histological alterations in some vital organs of exposed fish.

Ultraviolet-enhanced detoxification of chromate and protection of Brassica napus by Aspergillus sojae SH 20.

The pervasive issue of heavy metal contamination in agricultural lands poses significant concerns and has wide-ranging implications for ecosystems. However, an encouraging solution lies in exploiting the potential of fungal endophytes to alleviate these detrimental effects. This study emphasized on improving the growth-promoting and chromium-alleviating capabilities of fungal endophytes, particularly Aspergillus sojae strain SH20, through ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Following UV treatment, SH20 exhibited significantly enhanced growth-promoting and chromium-alleviating capabilities in comparison to its non-irradiated counterpart. Distinctly, the UV-treated SH20 strain demonstrated an improved ability to accumulate and reduce toxic chromate in the soil, effectively addressing the growth constraints imposed by elevated chromium levels in Brassica napus L. The UV-irradiated SH20 variant boosted shoot length up to 3 times that of the control. Similarly, this fungal strain displayed a remarkable increase in the total fresh weight of the seedlings, recording nearly 17 times greater than the control. The isolate treated with UV light reduced the absorption of chromium by about 3 times in the roots, helping the young plants to grow well even when exposed to chromate stress. A drop in root colonization by the UV-treated strain further resulted in reduced chromate absorption by the roots. Also, the strain showed great skill in boosting the host's antioxidant defenses by reducing the buildup of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS), increasing the removal of ROS, and improving the plant's antioxidant levels, including phenols and flavonoids. When the host plants were exposed to 25 ppm of Cr stress, the UV-irradiated variant SH 20 stimulated the production of flavonoids (246 µg/ml) and phenols (952 µg/ml) in comparison to the control (with 220 µg/ml of flavonoids and 919 µg/ml of phenols). In conclusion, this report highlights how exposing the A. sojae strain SH20 to UV light has the potential to enhance its abilities to promote growth and bioremediate. This suggests a promising solution for addressing heavy metal contamination in agricultural lands.

Exploring the synergistic potential of pomegranate fermented juice compounds against oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity through computational docking and experimental analysis in human neuroblastoma cells.

This study explored the neuroprotective potential of fermented pomegranate (PG-F) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms. The fermentation process, involving probiotics, transforms the hydrolyzable tannins in pomegranate juice into ellagic acid (EA) and gallic acid (GA), which are believed to contribute to its health benefits. Molecular docking simulations confirmed the stable interactions between EA, GA, and proteins associated with the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic pathways. PG-F significantly enhanced the viability of H2O2-treated cells, as evidenced by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays, cell morphology observations, and Hoechst 33342 staining. PG-F mitigated the H2O2-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, restored mitochondrial membrane potential, and upregulated antioxidant gene expression. The PG-F treatment also attenuated the H2O2-induced imbalance in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and reduced the cleaved caspase-3, caspase-7, and caspase-9 levels, suppressing the apoptotic pathways. Further insights showed that PG-F inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and facilitated the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), highlighting its role in modulating the key signaling pathways. A combined treatment with equivalent concentrations of EA and GA, as found in PG-F, induced remarkable cellular protection. Drug combination analysis using the Chou-Talalay method revealed a synergistic effect between EA and GA, emphasizing their combined efficacy. In conclusion, PG-F has significant neuroprotective effects against H2O2-induced neurotoxicity by modulating the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic pathways. The synergistic action of EA and GA suggests the therapeutic potential of PG-F in alleviating oxidative stress-associated neurodegenerative diseases.

A novel edible coating based on Albizia [Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth.] gum delays softening and maintains quality of harvested guava fruits during storage.

Guava, a commercially important fruit crop, is being grown in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Due to the perishable nature of guava fruits, there are great losses during marketing, transport and storage. The application of edible coating is emerging as a low-cost, simple to implement and efficient method for extending the postharvest life of fresh horticultural produces, such as fruits and vegetables. This study aimed to assess the potential of Albizia gum (AZG) to improve storability and maintain the overall fruit quality of stored guava fruits. Freshly harvested guava fruits were coated with 0 % (control), 1.5 %, 3 % or 4.5 % AZG. After coating treatment, the fruits were stored at 20 ± 1 °C and 85-90 % relative humidity for 15 days. The results revealed that 4.5% AZG coating suppressed the weight loss and decay incidence up to 27 % and 36 %, respectively, as compared with control. The fruits coated with 4.5 % AZG had the maximum titratable acidity (0.40 %), ascorbic acid (104.47 mg·100 g-1), total antioxidants (118.84 mmol Trolox·100 g-1), total phenolics (285.57 mg·kg-1) and flavonoids (60.12 g·kg-1) on 15th day of storage. However, the minimum total soluble solids (11.97 %), sugar-acid ratio (29.31), relative ion leakage (68.40 %), malondialdehyde (0.11 nmol·kg-1 FW) and hydrogen peroxide (16.05 µmol·kg-1 FW) were recorded in the fruits of same treatment on 15th day of storage. Furthermore, the activities of antioxidant enzymes "i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)" were increased under the influence of AZG coating. Consequently, as compared to uncoated fruits, AZG-coated fruits exhibited reduced activities of fruit softening enzymes "i.e., cellulase, pectin methylesterase (PME), and polygalacturonase (PG)". To sum up, the application of AZG-based edible coating could markedly improve the storage life of guavas and maintain overall fruit quality.

Identification and transcriptome analysis of a photosynthesis deficient mutant of Populus davidiana Dode.

Photosynthesis is the main source of energy for plants to sustain growth and development. Abnormalities in photosynthesis may cause defects in plant development. The elaborate regulatory mechanism underlying photosynthesis remains unclear. In this study, we identified a natural mutant from the Greater Khingan Mountains and named it as "1-T". This mutant had variegated leaf with irregular distribution of yellow and green. Chlorophyll contents and photosynthetic capacity of 1-T were significantly reduced compared to other poplar genotypes. Furthermore, a transcriptome analysis revealed 3269 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in 1-T. The products of the DEGs were enriched in photosystem I and photosystem II. Three motifs were significantly enriched in the promoters of these DEGs. Yeast one-hybrid, Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and tobacco transient transformation experiments indicated that PdGLKs may bind to the three motifs. Further analysis indicated that these photosystem related genes were also significantly down-regulated in PdGLK-RNAi poplars. Therefore, we preliminarily concluded that the down-regulation of PdGLKs in 1-T may affect the expression of photosystem-related genes, resulting in abnormal photosystem development and thus affecting the growth and development. Our results provide new insights into the molecular mechanism of photosynthesis regulating plant growth.

Green solvent-based extraction of three Fabaceae species: A potential antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-leishmanial agents.

The Fabaceae is renowned for its diverse range of chemical compounds with significant biological activities, making it a valuable subject for pharmacological studies. The chemical composition and biological activities of three Fabaceae species were investigated using methanol separately and in combination with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and glycerol for extraction. The results revealed the highest phenolic (49.59 ± 0.38 mg gallic acid equivalent/g), flavonoid (29.16 ± 0.39 mg rutin equivalent/g), and alkaloid (14.23 ± 0.54 mg atropine equivalent/g) contents in the Caesalpinia decapetala methanol extracts. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and DNA protection activity were the highest (0.88 ± 0.43 µg/mL IC50 and 2149.26 band intensity) in Albizia julibrissin methanol extracts. The α-amylase activity was highest in all methanol extracts (<15 µg/mL IC50 values), while the α-glucosidase inhibition potential was highest (<1 µg/mL IC50 value) in the methanol-glycerol and methanol-DMSO extracts. Pearson coefficient analysis showed a strong positive correlation between the DPPH and α-amylase assays and phytochemicals. Anti-leishmanial activity was observed in decreasing order: A. julibrissin (74.75 %) > C. decapetala (70.86 %) > Indigofera atropurpurea (65.34 %). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed 33 volatile compounds and, aamong these (Z)-9-octadecenamide was detected in the highest concentration ranging from 21.85 to 38.61 %. Only the methanol extracts of the examined species could be assessed for in vivo studies for immediate applications.