Enhanced mitochondrial fusion during a critical period of synaptic plasticity in adult-born neurons.

Integration of new neurons into adult hippocampal circuits is a process coordinated by local and long-range synaptic inputs. To achieve stable integration and uniquely contribute to hippocampal function, immature neurons are endowed with a critical period of heightened synaptic plasticity, yet it remains unclear which mechanisms sustain this form of plasticity during neuronal maturation. We found that as new neurons enter their critical period, a transient surge in fusion dynamics stabilizes elongated mitochondrial morphologies in dendrites to fuel synaptic plasticity. Conditional ablation of fusion dynamics to prevent mitochondrial elongation selectively impaired spine plasticity and synaptic potentiation, disrupting neuronal competition for stable circuit integration, ultimately leading to decreased survival. Despite profuse mitochondrial fragmentation, manipulation of competition dynamics was sufficient to restore neuronal survival but left neurons poorly responsive to experience at the circuit level. Thus, by enabling synaptic plasticity during the critical period, mitochondrial fusion facilitates circuit remodeling by adult-born neurons.

Efficacy of Citrullus colocynthis seed extract on Earias vittella, Fabricius, (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): environment sustainable approach

Abstract Earias vittellaFabricius, 1794 (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) is deliberated to be one of the most destructive pests of cotton and okra vegetation in the world including Asia. The pest has established resistance to various synthetic insecticides. The use of bio-pesticide is one of the unconventional approaches to develop a vigorous ecosystem without harming non- target pests and beneficial natural insect fauna. In the present study, the toxicity levels of Citrullus colocynthis seed extract have been evaluated against the populations of E. vittellaunder standardized laboratory conditions. The toxic effects of C. colocynthis on development periods, protein contents and esterase activity of the life stages of E. vittella were also evaluated. The toxicity levels of methanol, ethanol, hexane, water and profenofos were evaluated on the 1st instar larvae of E. vittella. LC30 and LC80 concentrations exhibited the effectiveness of methanol-based C. colocynthis seed extract against 1st instar larvae of E. vitella. The enhanced larval and pupal periods were revealed in treated samples during the comparison with untreated samples. The intrinsic rate of increase, net reproductive rate in the LC30 and LC80 concentrations exposed larvae remained less than the control treatment. Fecundity, the esterase activity and protein contents were declined in LC30 and LC80 treated samples as compared to the control. The present findings suggest that C. colosynthis extracts based botanical insecticides are beneficial, ecosystem sustainable and can be integrated with insect management programs from environment safety perspective.

Resumo Earias vittella Fabricius, 1794 (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) é considerada uma das pragas mais destrutivas de algodão e quiabo no mundo, incluindo a Ásia. Essa praga estabeleceu resistência a vários inseticidas sintéticos. O uso de biopesticidas é uma das abordagens não convencionais para desenvolver um ecossistema saudável sem prejudicar as pragas não alvo e a fauna natural benéfica de insetos. No presente estudo, os níveis de toxicidade do extrato de semente de Citrullus colocynthis foram avaliados nas populações de E. vittella em condições de laboratório padronizadas. Os efeitos tóxicos de C. colocynthis nos períodos de desenvolvimento, conteúdo de proteína e atividade esterase das fases de vida de E. vittella também foram avaliados. Os níveis de toxicidade de metanol, etanol, hexano, água e profenofós foram avaliados em larvas de 1º instar de E. vittella. As concentrações de LC30 e LC80 apresentaram eficácia do extrato de sementes de C. colocynthis à base de metanol contra larvas de 1º instar de E. vittella. Os períodos larval e pupal aumentados foram revelados nas amostras tratadas durante a comparação com as amostras não tratadas. A taxa intrínseca de aumento e a taxa reprodutiva líquida nas concentrações de larvas expostas LC30 e LC80 permaneceram menores do que o tratamento controle. A fecundidade, a atividade da esterase e o conteúdo de proteína diminuíram nas amostras tratadas com LC30 e LC80 em comparação com o controle. As presentes descobertas sugerem que os extratos de C. colocynthis à base de inseticidas botânicos são benéficos, sustentáveis para o ecossistema e podem ser integrados com programas de manejo de insetos do ponto de vista da segurança ambiental.

Efficacy of Citrullus colocynthis seed extract on Earias vittella, Fabricius, (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): environment sustainable approach / Eficácia do extrato de semente de Citrullus colocynthis em Earias vittella Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): abordagem ambiental sustentável

Abstract Earias vittellaFabricius, 1794 (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) is deliberated to be one of the most destructive pests of cotton and okra vegetation in the world including Asia. The pest has established resistance to various synthetic insecticides. The use of bio-pesticide is one of the unconventional approaches to develop a vigorous ecosystem without harming non- target pests and beneficial natural insect fauna. In the present study, the toxicity levels of Citrullus colocynthis seed extract have been evaluated against the populations of E. vittellaunder standardized laboratory conditions. The toxic effects of C. colocynthis on development periods, protein contents and esterase activity of the life stages of E. vittella were also evaluated. The toxicity levels of methanol, ethanol, hexane, water and profenofos were evaluated on the 1st instar larvae of E. vittella. LC30 and LC80 concentrations exhibited the effectiveness of methanol-based C. colocynthis seed extract against 1st instar larvae of E. vitella. The enhanced larval and pupal periods were revealed in treated samples during the comparison with untreated samples. The intrinsic rate of increase, net reproductive rate in the LC30 and LC80 concentrations exposed larvae remained less than the control treatment. Fecundity, the esterase activity and protein contents were declined in LC30 and LC80 treated samples as compared to the control. The present findings suggest that C. colosynthis extracts based botanical insecticides are beneficial, ecosystem sustainable and can be integrated with insect management programs from environment safety perspective.

Resumo Earias vittella Fabricius, 1794 (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) é considerada uma das pragas mais destrutivas de algodão e quiabo no mundo, incluindo a Ásia. Essa praga estabeleceu resistência a vários inseticidas sintéticos. O uso de biopesticidas é uma das abordagens não convencionais para desenvolver um ecossistema saudável sem prejudicar as pragas não alvo e a fauna natural benéfica de insetos. No presente estudo, os níveis de toxicidade do extrato de semente de Citrullus colocynthis foram avaliados nas populações de E. vittella em condições de laboratório padronizadas. Os efeitos tóxicos de C. colocynthis nos períodos de desenvolvimento, conteúdo de proteína e atividade esterase das fases de vida de E. vittella também foram avaliados. Os níveis de toxicidade de metanol, etanol, hexano, água e profenofós foram avaliados em larvas de 1º instar de E. vittella. As concentrações de LC30 e LC80 apresentaram eficácia do extrato de sementes de C. colocynthis à base de metanol contra larvas de 1º instar de E. vittella. Os períodos larval e pupal aumentados foram revelados nas amostras tratadas durante a comparação com as amostras não tratadas. A taxa intrínseca de aumento e a taxa reprodutiva líquida nas concentrações de larvas expostas LC30 e LC80 permaneceram menores do que o tratamento controle. A fecundidade, a atividade da esterase e o conteúdo de proteína diminuíram nas amostras tratadas com LC30 e LC80 em comparação com o controle. As presentes descobertas sugerem que os extratos de C. colocynthis à base de inseticidas botânicos são benéficos, sustentáveis ​​para o ecossistema e podem ser integrados com programas de manejo de insetos do ponto de vista da segurança ambiental.

Micellar catalysis: Polymer bound palladium catalyst for carbon-carbon coupling reactions in water.

Metallosurfactants, defined here as hydrophobic metal-containing groups embedded in hydrophilic units when dispersed in water, emanate in the formation of metallomicelles. This approach continues to attract great interest for its ability to serve as micellar catalysts for various metal-mediated chemical transformations in water. Indeed, relevant to green chemistry, micellar catalysis plays a preeminent function as a replacement for organic solvents in a variety of chemical reactions. There are several methods for the interaction of metal complexes (catalysts or catalyst precursors) and surfactants for producing micellar aggregates. A very effective manner for achieving this involves the direct bonding of the metal center to the amphiphilic polymeric materials. Herein, we describe the synthesis of a metallosurfactant containing a palladium complex covalently incorporated into a CO2-based triblock polycarbonate derived using a dicarboxylic acid chain-transfer agent. This amphiphilic polycarbonate was shown to self-assemble in water to provide uniform and spherical micelles, where the catalytic metal center is located in the hydrophobic portion of the micelle. The resulting metallosurfactant was demonstrated to effectively catalyze carbon-carbon coupling reactions at very low catalyst loadings.

ABO and Rhesus blood group markers as predictors in colorectal cancer: A prospective observational study.

Numerous research studies have investigated the relationship between ABO and Rhesus (Rh) blood groups and the risk of various cancers, yielding diverse findings. While these blood groups have been established as prognostic factors in some cancers, their relevance to colorectal cancer (CRC) remains uncertain. This research aims to determine the link between CRC and the ABO and Rh blood groups and explore any potential implications for disease survival. A hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted from March 2019 to March 2022 at the Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences in Srinagar, India. A total of 246 patients with confirmed colorectal cancer were enrolled in the study. Our study observed that blood type B (33.74%) and Rh-positive (91.87%) blood types were the most prevalent, surpassing other blood groups. No statistically significant associations were identified between the blood groups and the studied xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme gene variants. The study observed a heightened risk of CRC in patients with advanced cancer stages and lymphovascular invasion (P-value < .05). On follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences in 3-year survival rates observed between ABO and Rh blood groups. This study's findings suggest that ABO and Rh blood groups are not associated with the risk of CRC or overall survival among CRC patients. Further clinical studies are needed to establish the precise relationship between blood groups and CRC risks, as well as their implications for the prognosis of CRC patients.

Enabling New Approaches: Recent Advances in Processing Aliphatic Polycarbonate-Based Materials.

Aliphatic polycarbonates (aPCs) have become increasingly popular as functional materials due to their biocompatibility and capacity for on-demand degradation. Advances in polymerization techniques and the introduction of new functional monomers have expanded the library of aPCs available, offering a diverse range of chemical compositions and structures. To accommodate the emerging requirements of new applications in biomedical and energy-related fields, various manufacturing techniques have been adopted for processing aPC-based materials. However, a summary of these techniques has yet to be conducted. The aim of this paper is to enrich the toolbox available to researchers, enabling them to select the most suitable technique for their materials. In this paper, a concise review of the recent progress in processing techniques, including controlled self-assembly, electrospinning, additive manufacturing, and other techniques, is presented. We also highlight the specific challenges and opportunities for the sustainable growth of this research area and the successful integration of aPCs in industrial applications.

Colorectal Cancer (CRC): Investigating the Expression of the Suppressor of Fused (SuFu) Gene and Its Relationship with Several Inflammatory Blood-Based Biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: Suppressor of fused (SuFu) is a tumor-suppressor gene that regulates hedgehog signaling. Its involvement in some malignancies is broadly accepted. However, its association with colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis is not clear. Likewise, no study has clearly associated blood-based inflammatory biomarkers with cancer diagnosis/prognosis as yet. AIM: Our goal was to look at SuFu expression levels in CRC patients and its relationship with other clinicopathological factors. Additionally, we looked into the function of a few blood-based biomarkers in CRC and whether or not a combined strategy at the genetic and clinical levels can be applied in CRC. METHODS: The investigation included 98 histopathologically confirmed CRC samples and adjacent normal tissues (controls). A colonoscopy was followed by a targeted biopsy for each suspected colon cancer patient. A CT scan and MRI were also performed on every patient with rectal cancer. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used for assessment. A Beckman Coulter DxH900 was used to examine blood parameters. A Beckman Coulter DxI800 was used to identify pretreatment carcinoma embryonic antigens (CEA) and carbohydrate antigens (CA 19-9) in CRC patients. RESULTS: The expression of SuFu was associated with gender, education, passive smoking, tumor grade, perineural invasion (PNI), lymph node metastasis (LNM), node status, stage, vital status, and recurrence (p < 0.05). In the combined analysis, the areas under the curve produced by the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and red cell distribution width (RDW) were the greatest (AUCRDW+PLR+NLR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.86-0.93, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the most severe pathological features were linked to RDW, PLR, NLR, and HPR. SuFu expression, node status, LNM, PNI, and stage all had significant correlations with OS and DFS rates in IHC-based univariate survival analysis (p < 0.05). According to the Cox regression, CA-19.9 had a strong independent predictive link with 3-year DFS (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In CRC, SuFu was downregulated both transcriptionally and translationally, was primarily nucleo-cytoplasmic, and was expressed less in high-grade tumors. In addition, SuFu was linked to a poor overall and disease-free survival rate. It may be possible to use SuFu as a therapeutic target for CRC in the future. However, SuFu expression had no effect on RDW, PLR, NLR, or HPR serum levels.

Evaluation of Forkhead BOX M1 (FOXM1) gene expression in colorectal cancer.

Forkhead Box M1 (FOXM1)-a key cell cycle regulator is a member of the Forkhead transcription factor family. It plays a key role in embryogenesis and cell proliferation and has been strongly linked to various solid tumors. We sought to understand the regulation of FOXM1 in colorectal cancer (CRC), as well as if and to what extent other clinicopathological characteristics are associated with FOXM1. The investigation comprised 98 CRC samples and normal tissues (controls). All colon cancer patients had a colonoscopy and targeted biopsy. All rectal cancer patients had a CT and MRI. Real-time PCR, Immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting were used to evaluate FOXM1 expression, and the findings were analyzed using SPSS (v.26). FOXM1 mRNA and protein expression were substantially upregulated in tumor tissues, with the majority of these proteins localized in nucleo-cytoplasm. Elevated protein levels of FOXM1 were strongly correlated with lower education level, larger tumor size, lymph node status, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), perineural invasion (PNI), lymph node metastasis (LNM), tumor invasion depth (subserosal and serosal invasion), late stage (III and IV), localization (nucleo-cytoplasmic), intensity (strong) and recurrence. Based on survival analysis, FOXM1 overexpression and nucleo-cytoplasmic localization were associated with shorter disease-free survival while stage and PNI were linked to poorer overall and disease-free survival. According to the results of the Cox regression analysis, stage and PNI were significant predictors of prognosis in CRC patients. FOXM1 expression was elevated in CRC and was linked to reduced disease-free survival. These findings support prior reports and hence FOXM1 can be an important prognostic marker for CRC and a promising therapeutic target. Additionally, we found a link between poor disease-free survival and FOXM1's nucleo-cytoplasmic localization. However, since the sample size of this study was small, further research is needed to validate our findings.

Bifunctional organoboron-phosphonium catalysts for coupling reactions of CO2 and epoxides.

Recent years have witnessed intensive research activity in exploring novel metal-free organocatalysts for catalyzing the coupling reactions of CO2 and epoxides to afford cyclic or polymeric carbonates. In this direction, herein we report a series of boron-phosphonium organocatalysts for catalyzing the coupling reactions of CO2 and epoxides. These organophosphonium catalysts were synthesized in high yields by following a two step protocol involving Menschutkin and hydroboration reactions in succession. The purity of these organocatalysts was confirmed by spectroscopic techniques like 1H, 13C and 31P NMR, and molecular structures were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. We have also demonstrated that these bifunctional organoboron-phosphonium catalysts are comparatively much less hygroscopic compared to the analogus ammonium catalysts. These phosphonium organocatalysts were shown to catalyze the copolymerization of CO2 and cyclohexene oxide or vinyl cyclohexene oxide to provide polycarbonates with >99% polymer selectivity and carbonate linkages. The coupling reactions of aliphatic epoxides such as PO, having lower energy barrier to cycloaddition formation compared to alicyclic epoxides, preferentially provided cyclic carbonates in good yields. It was demonstrated that these organoboron-phosphonium catalysts are sensitive to chain transfer agents like water, and hence are deactivated in its presence. This is opposite to what is observed for metal based catalysts for these transformations, where water serves as a precursor to the chain-transfer agent diols.

3D Printed CO2 -Based Triblock Copolymers and Post-Printing Modification.

We report the facile synthesis and 3D printing of a series of triblock copolymers consisting of soft and hard blocks and demonstrate that alkene pendant groups of the hard block can be covalently modified. The polymers are prepared using a salenCo(III)TFA/PPNTFA binary catalyst system and 1,2-propanediol as a chain transfer agent, providing an efficient one-pot, two-step strategy to tailor polymer thermal and mechanical properties. Thixotropic inks suitable for direct ink write printing were formulated by dissolving the block copolymers in organic solvent and dispersing NaCl particles. After printing, porous structures were produced by removing solvent and NaCl with water to give printed structures with surfaces that could be modified via UV-initiated thiol-ene click reactions. Alternatively, a tetra-thiol could be incorporated into the ink and used for cross-linking to give objects with high solvent resistance and selective degradability.

Advances in protoplast transfection promote efficient CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing in tetraploid potato.

MAIN CONCLUSION: An efficient method of DNA-free gene-editing in potato protoplasts was developed using linearized DNA fragments, UBIQUITIN10 promoters of several plant species, kanamycin selection, and transient overexpression of the BABYBOOM transcription factor. Plant protoplasts represent a reliable experimental system for the genetic manipulation of desired traits using gene editing. Nevertheless, the selection and regeneration of mutated protoplasts are challenging and subsequent recovery of successfully edited plants is a significant bottleneck in advanced plant breeding technologies. In an effort to alleviate the obstacles related to protoplasts' transgene expression and protoplasts' regeneration, a new method was developed. In so doing, it was shown that linearized DNA could efficiently transfect potato protoplasts and that UBIQUITIN10 promoters from various plants could direct transgene expression in an effective manner. Also, the inhibitory concentration of kanamycin was standardized for transfected protoplasts, and the NEOMYCIN PHOSPHOTRANSFERASE2 (NPT2) gene could be used as a potent selection marker for the enrichment of transfected protoplasts. Furthermore, transient expression of the BABYBOOM (BBM) transcription factor promoted the regeneration of protoplast-derived calli. Together, these methods significantly increased the selection for protoplasts that displayed high transgene expression, and thereby significantly increased the rate of gene editing events in protoplast-derived calli to 95%. The method developed in this study facilitated gene-editing in tetraploid potato plants and opened the way to sophisticated genetic manipulation in polyploid organisms.

Connective tissue growth factor expression hints at aggressive nature of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a mediator of transforming growth factor-beta signaling and plays a key role in connective tissue remodeling, inflammatory processes and fibrosis in various illnesses including cancer. AIM: To investigate the role of CTGF in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and to compare the CTGF expression with different clinicopathological parameters. METHODS: Real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting was performed to evaluate the CTGF expression and the results were statistically analyzed against the clinicopathological variables of patient data using STATA software version 16. RESULTS: CTGF expression levels in tumor specimens were significantly higher than their paired normal specimens. The higher protein expression levels showed a significant association with smoking, staging, tumor grade, invasion depth, necrosis of tumor tissue, and both lymphovascular and perineural invasion. As per the cox regression model and classification tree analysis, tumor-node-metastasis stage and perineural invasion were important predictors for CTGF expression and prognosis of CRC patients. Survival analysis indicated that CTGF overexpression was associated with poorer overall and disease-free survival. CONCLUSION: Expression of CTGF was increased in CRC and was linked with poor overall and disease-free survival of CRC patients. These findings support prior observations and thus CTGF may be a possible prognostic marker in CRC.

TEAD4 nuclear localization and regulation by miR-4269 and miR-1343-3p in colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: TEAD4 transcription factor belonging to TEAD-family, is a key downstream element of the Hippo Signalling pathway and is very important for YAPinduced tumor progression. YAP-TEAD interaction is required to promote tumor progression and metastasis in various cancers. This study aims to investigate the role of TEAD4 in CRC progression and to compare the TEAD4 expression with different clinicopathological parameters of the study population. We also aim to explore the expression pattern of miR-4269 and miR-1343-3p and their functional role in TEAD4 mediated CRC progression. Furthermore, we intend to evaluate the prognostic significance of TEAD4, miR-4269, and miR-1343-3p in colorectal carcinoma. METHODS: Real-time PCR, Immunohistochemical Staining, and Western Blotting were performed on 71 human CRC tissue specimens and their adjacent normal tissues to evaluate the TEAD4 expression and the results were statistically analyzed against the clinicopathological variables of patient data and also with survival data using STATA software. miRNA expression was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: TEAD4 expression levels in tumor specimens were significantly higher than their paired normal specimens. The higher protein expression levels showed a significant association with TNM stage, Duke Stage, tumor grade, invasion depth, node status, necrosis of tumor tissue, lymphovascular and perineural invasion. As per the cox-regression model and classification tree analysis, TNM stage and perineural invasion were important predictors for TEAD4 expression and prognosis of CRC patients. Survival analysis indicated that TEAD4 overexpression was associated with poorer overall and disease-free survival. miR-4269 and miR-1343-3p were downregulated in CRC tumors and showed a negative correlation with TEAD4. The nuclear overexpressed TEAD4 and downregulated miR-4269 and miR-1343-3p evaluated for the first time in CRC, are believed to serve as important prognostic markers in CRC. CONCLUSION: Expression of TEAD4 was increased in CRC and was negatively regulated by miR-4269 and miR-1343-3p. The overexpression of TEAD4 is linked with poor overall and disease-free survival of CRC patients. These findings support prior observations and thus TEAD4 may be a possible prognostic marker in CRC.

Metabolic control of adult neural stem cell self-renewal by the mitochondrial protease YME1L.

The transition between quiescence and activation in neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) is coupled with reversible changes in energy metabolism with key implications for lifelong NSPC self-renewal and neurogenesis. How this metabolic plasticity is ensured between NSPC activity states is unclear. We find that a state-specific rewiring of the mitochondrial proteome by the i-AAA peptidase YME1L is required to preserve NSPC self-renewal. YME1L controls the abundance of numerous mitochondrial substrates in quiescent NSPCs, and its deletion activates a differentiation program characterized by broad metabolic changes causing the irreversible shift away from a fatty-acid-oxidation-dependent state. Conditional Yme1l deletion in adult NSPCs in vivo results in defective self-renewal and premature differentiation, ultimately leading to NSPC pool depletion. Our results disclose an important role for YME1L in coordinating the switch between metabolic states of NSPCs and suggest that NSPC fate is regulated by compartmentalized changes in protein network dynamics.

Efficacy of Citrullus colocynthis seed extract on Earias vittella, Fabricius, (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): environment sustainable approach.

Earias vittellaFabricius, 1794 (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) is deliberated to be one of the most destructive pests of cotton and okra vegetation in the world including Asia. The pest has established resistance to various synthetic insecticides. The use of bio-pesticide is one of the unconventional approaches to develop a vigorous ecosystem without harming non- target pests and beneficial natural insect fauna. In the present study, the toxicity levels of Citrullus colocynthis seed extract have been evaluated against the populations of E. vittellaunder standardized laboratory conditions. The toxic effects of C. colocynthis on development periods, protein contents and esterase activity of the life stages of E. vittella were also evaluated. The toxicity levels of methanol, ethanol, hexane, water and profenofos were evaluated on the 1st instar larvae of E. vittella. LC30 and LC80 concentrations exhibited the effectiveness of methanol-based C. colocynthis seed extract against 1st instar larvae of E. vitella. The enhanced larval and pupal periods were revealed in treated samples during the comparison with untreated samples. The intrinsic rate of increase, net reproductive rate in the LC30 and LC80 concentrations exposed larvae remained less than the control treatment. Fecundity, the esterase activity and protein contents were declined in LC30 and LC80 treated samples as compared to the control. The present findings suggest that C. colosynthis extracts based botanical insecticides are beneficial, ecosystem sustainable and can be integrated with insect management programs from environment safety perspective.

Comparative transcriptome mining for terpenoid biosynthetic pathway genes in wild and cultivated species of Plantago.

Plantagos are important economical and medicinal plants that possess several bioactive secondary metabolites, such as phenolics, iridoids, triterpenes, and alkaloids. Triterpenoids are the ubiquitous and dynamic secondary metabolites that are deployed by plants for chemical interactions and protection under biotic/abiotic stress. Plantago ovata, a cultivated species, is the source of psyllium, while Plantago major, a wild species, has significant therapeutic potential. Wild species are considered more tolerant to stressful conditions in comparison to their cultivated allies. In view of this, the present study aimed to decipher the terpenoid biosynthetic pathway operative in P. ovata and P. major using a comparative transcriptomics approach. Majority of terpenoid biosynthetic genes were observed as upregulated in P. major including rate limiting genes of MVA (HMGR) and MEP (DXR) pathways and genes (α-AS, BAS, SM, and CYP716) involved in ursolic acid biosynthesis, an important triterpenoid prevalent in Plantago species. The HPLC output further confirmed the higher concentration of ursolic acid in P. major as compared to P. ovata leaf samples, respectively. In addition to terpenoid biosynthesis, KEGG annotation revealed the involvement of differentially expressed unigenes in several metabolic pathways, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, biosynthesis of antibiotics, and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. MYB was found as the most abundant transcription factor family in Plantago transcriptome. We have been able to generate valuable information which can help in improving terpenoid production in Plantago. Additionally, the present study has laid a strong foundation for deciphering other important metabolic pathways in Plantago.

Human Fascioliasis: Report of Two Cases from Kashmir Valley.

Although few case reports of human fascioliasis have been reported from different parts of India, there is no case reported from the Kashmir valley to date. Herein we report two cases of human fascioliasis. Both patients presented with fever, marked eosinophilia, and liver lesions on imaging. Hepatobiliary imaging showed vague features like mild biliary dilatation and liver lesions representing burrows. A liver biopsy in one of the patients revealed eosinophilic granuloma. Both patients were diagnosed definitively with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) by demonstrating live adult fasciola worms. Any patient presenting with fever, marked eosinophilia, and liver lesions on imaging should be evaluated for fascioliasis.

Recent insights into carrageenan-based bio-nanocomposite polymers in food applications: A review.

Nanotechnology has proven as progressive technology that enables to contribute, develop several effective and sustainable changes in food products. Incorporating nanomaterials like TiO2, SiO2, Halloysite nano clay, Copper sulfide, Bentonite nano clay, in carrageenan to develop innovative packaging materials with augmented mechanical and antimicrobial properties along with moisture and gas barrier properties that can produce safe and healthy foods. Intervention of carrageenan-based bio-nanocomposites as food packaging constituents has shown promising results in increasing the shelf stability and food quality by arresting the microbial growth. Nanomaterials can be incorporated within the carrageenan for developing active packaging systems for continuous protection of food products under different storage environments from farm to the fork to ensure quality and safety of foods. Carrageenan based bio nanocomposite packaging materials can be helpful to reduce the environmental concerns due to their high biodegradability index. This review gives insight about the current trends in the applications of carrageenan-based bio nanocomposites for different food packaging applications.

TEMPO Containing Radical Polymonothiocarbonate Polymers with Regio- and Stereo-Regularities: Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrical Conductivity Studies.

We report the synthesis of a (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxidanyl) (TEMPO) appended polymonothiocarbonates through the ring-opening copolymerization of (4-glycidyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl) (GTEMPO) in the presence of carbonyl sulfide under ambient conditions. We have prepared the atactic and isotactic versions of this polymer, using enantiopure R or S forms of the GTEMPO monomer in the latter instances. Cyclic voltammetry studies revealed both oxidation and reduction events that were characteristic of TEMPO radicals. Electrical conductivity of these polymers was measured as solid-state films after annealing the samples above their glass transition temperatures. At room temperature the isotactic polymer shows much greater conductivity (ca. 10-4  S cm-1 ) than the atactic (ca. 10-7  S cm-1 ), attributed to the well-defined stereochemistry and regulated charge transport pathway of isotactic polymer chains in contrast to the irregular structure of the atactic counterpart.