Nano-bio convergence unveiled: Systematic review on quantum dots-protein interaction, their implications, and applications.

Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanocrystals (2-10 nm) with unique optical and electronic properties due to quantum confinement effects. They offer high photostability, narrow emission spectra, broad absorption spectrum, and high quantum yields, making them versatile in various applications. Due to their highly reactive surfaces, QDs can conjugate with biomolecules while being used, produced, or unintentionally released into the environment. This systematic review delves into intricate relationship between QDs and proteins, examining their interactions that influence their physicochemical properties, enzymatic activity, ligand binding affinity, and stability. The research utilized electronic databases like PubMed, WOS, and Proquest, along with manual reviews from 2013 to 2023 using relevant keywords, to identify suitable literature. After screening titles and abstracts, only articles meeting inclusion criteria were selected for full text readings. This systematic review of 395 articles identifies 125 articles meeting the inclusion criteria, categorized into five overarching themes, encompassing various mechanisms of QDs and proteins interactions, including adsorption to covalent binding, contingent on physicochemical properties of QDs. Through a meticulous analysis of existing literature, it unravels intricate nature of interaction, significant influence on nanomaterials and biological entities, and potential for synergistic applications harnessing both specific and nonspecific interactions across various fields.

Biocompatibility assessment of bovine serum albumin conjugated manganese dioxide nanoparticle and their therapeutic role against microwave radiation induced haematological toxicity in male Wistar rats.

Microwave (MW) radiations are widely used in communications, radar and medical treatment and thus human exposure to MW radiations have increased tremendously, raising health concerns as MW has been implicated in induction of oxidative stress condition in our body. Few metallic nanoparticles (NPs) have been shown to mimic the activity of antioxidant enzymes and hence can be applied for the modulation of adverse effects caused by MW. Present study aimed to assess the biocompatibility of Bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugated manganese dioxide nanoparticles (MNP*) and to counteract the impact of MW on the haematological system of male Wistar rats. Experiments were conducted in two sets. Set I involved biodistribution and antioxidant activity evaluation of MNP* at different doses. Results showed a dose-dependent increase in antioxidant potential and significant biodistribution in the liver, spleen, kidney, and testis, with no organ damage, indicating its biocompatibility. Experiment set II constituted the study of separate and combined effects of MW and MNP* on haematological parameters, oxidative status, and genotoxic study in the blood of rats. MW exposure significantly altered red blood cell count, hemoglobin, packed cell volume percentage, monocyte percentage, aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase and uric acid. MW also induced significant DNA damage in the blood. A significant increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase was also observed in MW exposed group. However, these alterations were reduced significantly when MNP* was administered. Thus, MNP* showed biocompatibility and modulatory effects against MW-induced alterations in the haematological system of rats.

Carbon and graphene quantum dots based architectonics for efficient aqueous decontamination by adsorption chromatography technique - Current state and prospects.

Aquatic ecosystems and potable water are being exploited and depleted due to urbanization and the encouragement of extensive industrialization, which induces the scarcity of pure water. However, current decontamination methods are limited and inefficient. Various innovative remediation strategies with novel nanomaterials have recently been demonstrated for wastewater treatment. Carbon dots (C-dots) and graphene quantum dots (GQ-dots) are the most recent frontiers in carbon nanomaterial-based adsorption studies. C-dots are extremely small (1-10 nm) quasi-spherical carbon nanoparticles (mostly sp3 hybridized carbon), whereas GQ-dots are fragments of graphene (1-20 nm) composed of primarily sp2 hybridized carbon. This article highlights the function of C-dots and GQ-dots with their specifications and characteristics for the efficient removal of organic and inorganic contaminants in water via adsorption chromatography. The alteration of adsorption attributes with the hybrid blending of these dots has been critically analyzed. Moreover, various top-down and bottom-up approaches for synthesizing C-dots and GQ-dots, which ultimately affect their morphology and structure, are described in detail. Finally, we review the research deficit in the adsorption of diverse pollutants, fabrication challenges, low molecular weight, self-agglomeration, and the future of the dots by providing research prospects and selectivity and sensitivity perspectives, the importance of post-adsorption optimization strategies and the path toward scalability at the tail of the article.

Effects of 4G mobile phone radiation exposure on reproductive, hepatic, renal, and hematological parameters of male Wistar rat.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Mobile phones have become a vital part of human life. Due to drastic increase in the number of mobile phone subscribers, exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitted from these phones has increased dramatically. Hence, the effect of RFR on humans is an area of concern. This study was performed to determine the impact of 4G mobile phone radiation on the male reproductive system, liver, kidney, and hematological parameters. METHODS: Seventy-day-old Wistar rats were exposed to 4G radiation (2350 MHz for 2 h/day for 56 days). Sperm parameters such as sperm count, viability, sperm head morphology, mitochondrial activity, total antioxidant activity, and lipid peroxidation of sperm were evaluated. Histopathology of the testis, prostate, epididymis, seminal vesicle, liver, and kidney was carried out. Complete blood count, liver and kidney function tests, and testosterone hormone analysis were done. RESULTS: At the end of the experiment, results showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in sperm viability with alterations in the histology of the liver, kidney, testis, and other reproductive organs in the exposed group of rats. A reduced level of testosterone, total antioxidant capacity, and decreased sperm mitochondrial function were also observed in the exposed rats. Moreover, the exposed rats showed an increase in sperm lipid peroxidation and sperm abnormality. Hematological parameters like hemoglobin, red blood cells (RBC), and packed cell volume (PCV) showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the exposed rats. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that chronic exposure to 4G radiation may affect the male reproductive system, hematological system, liver, and kidney of rats.

Biogenic carbon dots: a novel mechanistic approach to combat multidrug-resistant critical pathogens on the global priority list.

This study delves into investigating alternative methodologies for anti-microbial therapy by focusing on the mechanistic assessment of carbon dots (CDs) synthesized from F. benghalensis L. extracts. These biogenic CDs have shown remarkable broad-spectrum anti-bacterial activity even against multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial strains, prompting a deeper examination of their potential as novel anti-microbial agents. The study highlights the significant detrimental impact of CDs on bacterial cells through oxidative damage, which disrupts the delicate balance of ROS control within the cells. Notably, even at low doses, the anti-bacterial activity of CDs against MDR strains of P. aeruginosa and E. cloacae is highly effective, demonstrating their promise as potent antimicrobial agents. The research sheds light on the capacity of CDs to generate ROS, leading to membrane lipid peroxidation, loss of membrane potential, and rupture of bacterial cell membranes, resulting in cytoplasmic leakage. SEM and TEM analysis revealed time-dependent cell surface, morphological, and ultrastructural changes such as elongation of the cells, irregular surface protrusion, cell wall and cell membrane disintegration, internalization, and aggregations of CDs. These mechanisms offer a comprehensive explanation of how CDs exert their anti-bacterial effects. We also determined the status of plasma membrane integrity and evaluated live (viable) and dead cells upon CD exposure by flow cytometry. Furthermore, comet assay, biochemical assays, and SDS PAGE identify DNA damage, carbohydrate and protein leakage, and distinct differences in protein expression, adding another layer of understanding to the mechanisms behind CDs' anti-bacterial activity. These findings pave the way for future research on managing ROS levels and developing CDs with enhanced anti-bacterial properties, presenting a breakthrough in anti-microbial therapy.

Divergent Responses of Hydrophilic CdSe and CdSe@CdS Core-Shell Nanocrystals in Apoptosis and In Vitro Cancer Cell Imaging: A Comparative Analysis.

With their distinctive core-shell design, core-shell nanocrystals have drawn interest in catalysis, medicinal research, and nanotechnology. These nanocrystals have a variety of characteristics and possible uses. The application of core-shell nanocrystals offers significant potential in increasing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cancer research in apoptosis and in vitro cancer cell imaging. In the present study, we investigated the fluorescence behavior of hydrophilic CdSe (core-only) and CdSe@CdS (core-shell) nanocrystals (NCs) and their potential in cancer cell imaging. The addition of a CdS coating to CdSe NCs increased the fluorescence intensity tenfold. The successful fabrication of core-shell CdSe@CdS nanocrystals was proven by a larger particle size (evaluated via DLS and TEM) and their XRD pattern and surface morphology compared to CdSe (core-only) NCs. When these NCs were used for bioimaging in MCF-7 and HEK-293 cell lines, they demonstrated excellent cellular uptake due to higher fluorescence intensity within cancerous cells than normal cells. Comparative cytotoxicity studies revealed that CdSe NCs were more toxic to all three cell lines (HEK-293, MCF-7, and HeLa) than CdSe@CdS core-shell structures. Furthermore, a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular ROS production supported NCs inducing oxidative stress, which led to apoptosis via the mitochondria-mediated pathway. Increased cytochrome c levels, regulation of pro-apoptotic gene expression (e.g., p53, Bax), and down-regulation of Bcl-2 all suggested cellular apoptosis occurred via the intrinsic pathway. Significantly, at an equivalent dose of core-shell NCs, core-only NCs induced more oxidative stress, resulting in increased apoptosis. These findings shed light on the role of a CdS surface coating in reducing free radical release, decreasing cytotoxicity, and improving fluorescence, advancing the field of cell imaging.

Exposure, toxicological mechanism of endocrine disrupting compounds and future direction of identification using nano-architectonics.

Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDC) are a group of exogenous chemicals that structurally mimic hormones and interfere with the hormonal signaling cascade. EDC interacts with hormone receptors, transcriptional activators, and co-activators, altering the signaling pathway at both genomic and non-genomic levels. Consequently, these compounds are responsible for adverse health ailments such as cancer, reproductive issues, obesity, and cardiovascular and neurological disorders. The persistent nature and increasing incidence of environmental contamination from anthropogenic and industrial effluents have become a global concern, resulting in a movement in both developed and developing countries to identify and estimate the degree of exposure to EDC. The U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has outlined a series of in vitro and in vivo assays to screen potential endocrine disruptors. However, the multidisciplinary nature and concerns over the widespread application demand alternative and practical techniques for identifying and estimating EDC. The review chronicles the state-of-art 20 years (1990-2023) of scientific literature regarding EDC's exposure and molecular mechanism, highlighting the toxicological effects on the biological system. Alteration in signaling mechanisms by representative endocrine disruptors such as bisphenol A (BPA), diethylstilbestrol (DES), and genistein has been emphasized. We further discuss the currently available assays and techniques for in vitro detection and propose the prominence of designing nano-architectonic-sensor substrates for on-site detection of EDC in the contaminated aqueous environment.

Size- and surface functionalization-driven molecular interaction of CdSe quantum dots with jack bean urease: multispectroscopic, thermodynamic, and AFM approach.

Quantum dots (QDs) with distinctive optical properties have been extensively researched and developed for usage in solar cells, imaging, drug delivery, cellular targeting, etc. But the inevitable production of QDs can lead to their unavoidable release and increased environmental concentration. Depending on morphological and surface properties, QDs at the nano-bio interface considerably impact the activity and structure of bio-molecules. The present study investigates the interaction of metalloenzyme jack bean urease (JBU) and bi-sized CdSe QDs (2.43 nm and 3.63 nm), surface-functionalized to mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) (-COOH), L-cysteine (CYS), L-glutathione (GSH), N-acetyl L-cysteine (NAC) (-COOH, -NH2), and cysteamine hydrochloride (CYST) (-NH2) to assess any alterations in JBU's binding, microenvironment, structure, exciton lifetime, and activity. JBU catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea to produce ammonia and carbon dioxide; any changes in its properties could threaten the survival of several microbes and plants. Spectroscopy techniques such as UV-Vis, fluorescence, circular dichroism, synchronous, time-resolved fluorescence, atomic force microscopy, and JBU activity assay were studied. Results suggested highly spontaneous and energy-favored interactions, which involved static quenching and hydrophobic forces of varied magnitude, dependent on QDs properties. The size, surface modifications, and dosage of QDs significantly impacted the secondary structure and activity of JBUs. Even though the larger sizes of the relevant modifications demonstrated stronger binding, the smaller sizes had the greatest impact on α-helicity and activity. CYST-capped QDs with an average number of the binding site (n) = 1, reduced α-helicity by 16% and activity by 22-30% at 7 nM concentration. In contrast, MPA-capped QDs with n < 1 had the least effect on α-helical structure and activity. The smaller GSH-capped QDs increased the activity by 9%, via partially restoring JBU's α-helical content. The study thus thoroughly analyzed the impact of varied-size and surface-functionalized QDs on the structure and function of JBU, which can be exploited further for several biomedical applications.

Acute radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation exposure impairs neurogenesis and causes neuronal DNA damage in the young rat brain.

A mobile phone is now a commonly used device for digital media and communication among all age groups. Young adolescents use it for longer durations, which exposes them to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR). This exposure can lead to neuropsychiatric changes. The underlying cellular mechanism behind these changes requires detailed investigation. In the present study, we investigated the effect of RF-EMR emitted from mobile phones on young adolescent rat brains. Wistar rats (5 weeks, male) were exposed to RF-EMR signal (2115 MHz) at a head average specific absorption rate (SAR) of 1.51 W/kg continuously for 8 h. Higher level of lipid peroxidation, carbon-centered lipid radicals, and single-strand DNA damage was observed in the brain of rat exposed to RF-EMR. The number of BrdU-positive cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) decreased in RF-EMR-exposed rats, indicating reduced neurogenesis. RF-EMR exposure also induced degenerative changes and neuronal loss in DG neurons but had no effect on the CA3 and CA1 neurons of the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. The activity of Pro-caspase3 did not increase upon exposure in any of the brain regions, pointing out that degeneration observed in the DG region is not dependent on caspase activation. Results indicate that short-term acute exposure to RF-EMR induced the generation of carbon-centered lipid radicals and nuclear DNA damage, both of which likely played a role in the impaired neurogenesis and neuronal degeneration seen in the young brain's hippocampus region. The understanding of RF-EMR-induced alteration in the brain at the cellular level will help develop appropriate interventions for reducing its adverse impact.

A Perspective on Reproductive Toxicity of Metallic Nanomaterials.

Nanotechnological tools have been greatly exploited in all possible fields. However, advancement of nanotechnology has raised concern about their adverse effects on human and environment. These deleterious effects cannot be ignored and need to be explored due to safety purpose. Several recent studies have demonstrated possible health hazard of nanoparticles on organism. Moreover, studies showed that toxicity of metallic nanomaterial could also lead to reproductive toxicity. Various deleterious effects have demonstrated decreased sperm motility, increased abnormal spermatozoa, altered sperm count, and altered sperm morphology. Morphological and ultrastructural changes also have been reported due to the accumulation of these nanomaterials in reproductive organs. Nonetheless, studies also suggest crossing of metallic nanoparticles through blood testes barrier and generation of oxidative stress which plays major role in reproductive toxicity. In the present study, we have incorporated updated information by gathering all available literature about various metallic nanomaterials and risk related to reproductive system.

Modulatory role of Bovine serum albumin conjugated manganese dioxide nanoparticle on microwave radiation induced alterations in reproductive parameters of rat.

In recent decades, microwave (MW) radiations are being used extensively for various applications such as Wi-Fi, telecommunication, etc. due to which there have been grave concerns regarding the adverse effects of MW exposure on human health, particularly the reproductive system. MW cause damage to the reproductive system by generating free radicals, decreasing antioxidant defence, and inducing oxidative stress. Hence, the present study was aimed to counteract the harmful effect by using antioxidant enzymes mimicking nanoparticle, Bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugated manganese dioxide nanoparticle (MNP*). Male Wistar rats were exposed to MW and treated with MNP*, and their individual, as well as combined effect on reproductive parameters was investigated. Results showed that MW exposed rats had significantly reduced testosterone levels along with alterations in the testicular morphology. The antioxidant status decreased, and lipid peroxidation increased significantly in testis. MW exposure also showed altered sperm parameters such as a significant decrease in sperm count, viability, membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity with a significant increase in morphological abnormality and lipid peroxidation. As a result, the changes induced by MW may affect male fertility. However, upon combined exposure of MNP* and MW, these alterations were reduced significantly. Hence, it may be concluded that MNP* could reduce oxidative stress mediated damages in the reproductive system of rats owing to its antioxidant activity, and thus have a potential to act as a radioprotectant.

Ag@CDs nanohybrid: Fabrication, design of a multi-mode chemosensory probe for selective Fe3+ detection and logic gate operation.

In this study, we propose a unique use of silver-carbon dot nanohybrid (Ag@CDs) with an average size of 16 nm as a multi-mode sensor for the selective detection of Fe3+ and the construction of logic gates based on these unique detection properties. The Ag NPs exhibit colourimetric sensing and fluorescence quenching in response to Fe3+ in the concentration range of 10-100 ppm, with the carbon dots acting as the fluorescent entity. Surprisingly, the nanohybrid was shown to have excellent sensitivity to Fe3+, resulting in aggregation and formation of yellowish-brown clumps. When the reaction mixture was treated with Fe3+, there was a discernible change in the colour of the assay mixture and fluorescence quenching. That is, the Ag@CDs acted as a calorimetric and fluorescence multi-mode sensor. Even in interfering groups in the natural river water sample, the produced nanohybrid displayed good selectivity towards Fe3+, with a minimum LOD of 0.76 ppm. Further, we constructed an advanced logic system, IMP-OR gate, by using additional inputs - ascorbic acid and urea.

Synthesis of salicylic acid phenylethyl ester (SAPE) and its implication in immunomodulatory and anticancer roles.

Salicylic acid phenylethyl ester (SAPE) was synthesized by Zn(OTf)2-catalyzed selective esterification of salicylic acid and phenylethyl alcohol and studied for its role as an immunomodulatory and anticancer agent. Low toxicity and favorable physical, Lipinski-type, and solubility properties were elucidated by ADME-tox studies. Molecular docking of SAPE against COX-2 revealed favorable MolDockscore, rerank score, interaction energy, internal pose energy, and hydrogen bonding as compared to ibuprofen and indomethacin. An average RMSD of ~ 0.13 nm for the docked complex with stable dynamic equilibrium condition was noted during the 20 ns MD simulation. A low band gap predicting a strong binding affinity at the enzyme's active site was further predicted by DFT analysis. The ester caused a reduction in the percentage of erythrocyte hemolysis and was shown to be non-cytotoxic against human lymphocytes, CaCo-2, and HepG-2 cells by the MTT assay. Moreover, it's in vitro efficacy in inhibiting COX-2 enzyme under both LPS stimulated intestinal cells and direct sequestration assays was found to be higher than salicylic acid and indomethacin. The anticancer activity of SAPE was tested on the breast cancer cell line MCF-7, and potential efficacy was exhibited in terms of decreased cell viability. Flow cytometry analysis exhibited the arrest of the cell cycle at G1/G0 and S phases, during which induction of autophagic vesicle formation and decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential was observed owing to increased ROS production. Furthermore, at these phases, the onset of apoptosis along with DNA damage was also observed. Pre-treatment with SAPE in colitis-induced Wistar rats displayed low disease activity index and reduction in the extent of intestinal tissue disruption and lipid peroxidation. A marked increase of anti-oxidative enzymes viz., catalase, GGT, and GST, and a decrease of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in the intestinal tissue extracts of the treated groups was noted. The results of this study have sufficient credence to support that the synthesised ester (SAPE) be considered as an anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory compound with therapeutic potential for the effective management of cancer.

Comparative In Vitro Cytotoxicity Study of Carbon Dot-Based Organometallic Nanoconjugates: Exploration of Their Cell Proliferation, Uptake, and Localization in Cancerous and Normal Cells.

Organometallic nanoconjugates have raised great interest due to their bimodal properties and high stability. In the present study, we analyzed the cytotoxicity property of carbon dots (CDs) and a series of organometallic nanoconjugates including gold@carbon dots (Au@CDs) and silver@carbon dots (Ag@CDs) synthesized via an aqueous mode. We aimed to divulge a comparative analysis of cell proliferation, uptake, and localization of the particles in HeLa and HEK293 cell lines. Our results showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity of Au@CDs, Ag@CDs, and CDs. However, Ag@CDs showed the highest inhibition through HeLa cells with an IC50 value of around 50 ± 1.0 µg/mL. Confocal imaging signified the uptake of the particles suggested by blue fluorescence in the interior region of HeLa cells. Furthermore, the TEM micrographs depicted that the particles are entrapped by endocytosis assisted through the cell microvilli. The CDs and Au@CDs were thus observed to be relatively safe up to a concentration of 100 µg/mL and did not induce any morphological changes in the cells. Moreover, the cell proliferation assay of these nanoconjugates against HEK 293 cells signified the nontoxic nature of the nanoconjugates. The results thus revealed two major facts: firstly, the Ag@CDs had potent therapeutic potential, signifying their potential as a promising anticancer drug, and secondly, the CDs and Au@CDs at a defined dose could be used as probes for detection and also bioimaging agents.

Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic radiation on rat hippocampus proteome.

Worldwide, the number of mobile phone users has increased from 5.57 billion in 2011 to 6.8 billion in 2019. However, short- and long-term impact of the electromagnetic radiation emitting from mobile phones on tissue homeostasis with particular to brain proteome composition needs further investigation. In this study, we attempted a global proteome profiling study of rat hippocampus exposed to mobile phone radiation for 20 weeks (for 3 h/day for 5 days/week) to identify deregulated proteins and western blot analysis for validation. As a result, we identified 358 hippocampus proteins, of which 16 showed deregulation (log2 (exposed/sham) ≥ ±1.0, p-value <.05). Majority of these deregulated proteins grouped into three clusters sharing similar molecular pathways. A set of four proteins (Succinate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase: Aldh5a1, Na+ K+ transporting ATPase: Atp1b2, plasma membrane calcium transporting ATPase: PMCA and protein S100B) presenting each functional pathway were selected for validation. Western blot analysis of these proteins, in an independent sample set, corroborated the mass spectrometry findings. Aldh5a1 involve in cellular energy metabolism, both Atp1b2 and PMCA responsible for membrane transport and protein S100B have a neuroprotective role. In conclusion, we present a deregulated hippocampus proteome upon mobile phone radiation exposure, which might influence the healthy functioning of the brain.

Carbon Dots: An Excellent Fluorescent Probe for Contaminant Sensing and Remediation.

Pollution-induced degradation of the environment is a serious problem for both developing and developed countries. Existing remediation methods are restricted, necessitating the development of novel remediation technologies. Nanomaterials with unique characteristics have recently been developed for remediation. Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanoparticles (1-10 nm) with optical and electrical characteristics that differ from bigger particles owing to quantum mechanics, making them intriguing for sensing and remediation applications. Carbon dots (CDs) offer better characteristics than typical QDs, such as, CdSe QDs in terms of contaminant sensing and remediation. Non-toxicity, chemical inertness, photo-induced electron transfer, good biocompatibility, and adjustable photoluminescence behavior are all characteristics of CDs. CDs are frequently made from sustainable raw materials as they are cost-effective, environmentally compactable, and excellent in reducing waste generation. The goal of this review article is to briefly describe CDs fabrication methods, to deeply investigate the criteria and properties of CDs that make them suitable for sensing and remediation of contaminants, and also to highlight recent advances in their use in sensing and remediation of contaminants.

Cumulative effects of manganese nanoparticle and radiofrequency radiation in male Wistar rats.

Radiofrequency radiation (RFR) is a type of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation that includes radiowaves and microwaves with a frequency range between 3 KHz and 300 GHz. Mobile phones operate with RFR and are used tremendously resulting in increased and continuous exposure of humans to these radiations. On the other hand, nanoparticles are also being used extensively in various fields. The increasing use of radiofrequency radiations and nanoparticles has become a concern to the general public. Not many studies have reported the cumulative effect of these stressors. Hence, the present investigation was aimed to find out their cumulative effect on the mammalian system. In this study manganese nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized and characterized. Adult male Wistar rats were exposed to MNPs and mobile phone radiation for 45 days and their separate, as well as cumulative impact, was investigated. The effect of the MNPs and RFR on liver, kidney, and reproductive parameters were studied. Histopathology as well as liver and kidney parameters were altered when exposed to MNPs and RFR separately. However, their combined treatment did not show a synergistic toxic response in liver and kidney functions which may be due to the fact that the radiation level is low, specific absorption rate (SAR) is subthermal (0.04 W/kg) and liver and kidney are located intra abdominally, hence they would absorb comparatively lesser radiation than the testicles. MNPs and RFR both caused a highly significant decrease in sperm count, which further decreased in the combined treatment (MNPs + RFR). These results indicate that the combined treatment of these stressors can have an additive toxic response to the male reproductive system.

Metal accumulation and health risk assessment in wastewater used for irrigation around the Agra Canal in Faridabad, India.

Wastewater application for irrigation is a traditional and economic tool in developing nations. Yet prolonged use of wastewater for agricultural activities contributes to the accumulation of metals in both soil and vegetables. This study investigated the accumulation and contamination of vegetables with heavy metals ensuing from the application of wastewater from the Agra Canal and the associated risks posed to human health. Three sites across the Agra canal were selected for sampling (CW-1, CW-2, and CW-3), where untreated wastewater is being used to irrigate vegetables (spinach, coriander, radish, and garlic crops), for which tube-well water (TW) from a village served as the control site. Water, soil, and vegetable samples were collected from all sites. The presence in them of various metals, such as As, Pb, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Ni, was detected at all four sites. The greatest content of Mn was found in CW-1's water (7.91 mg/L), soil (633.77 mg/kg), and in spinach 368.12 (mg/kg) grown there. Significantly higher metal concentrations were observed in vegetables irrigated with wastewater than in tube-well-irrigated vegetables, with the metals ranked in accumulation as follows Mn > Zn > Ni > Cu > Cr > Pb > As. Our results also revealed that metal bioaccumulation varied enormously between foliar and non-foliar vegetables, as well as among the four sites. Daily metal intake (DMI) and health risk index (HRI) analyses suggested that children consuming contaminated vegetables are at higher risk than adults. The HRI for Mn, Ni, and Pb was above 1, which indicated significant health hazards to humans consuming the wastewater-irrigated vegetables. Moreover, the control site where tube-well water was used had an HRI below 1, signifying a negligible health risk for its consumption. Therefore, we may conclude that the extensive application of contaminated water for a longer duration would likely further increase metal accumulation in soil and vegetables that may be hazardous to living organisms.

Impact of nonionizing electromagnetic radiation on male infertility: an assessment of the mechanism and consequences.

PURPOSE: Environment and lifestyle factors are being attributed toward increased instances of male infertility. Rapid technological advancement, results in emission of electromagnetic radiations of different frequency which impacts human both biologically as well as genetically. Devices like cell phone, power line and monitors emit electromagnetic radiation and are a major source of the exposure. Numerous studies describe the detrimental consequence of radiation on physiological parameters of male reproductive system including sperm parameters (morphology, motility, and viability), metabolism and genomic instability. While the thermal and nonthermal interaction of nonionizing radiations with biological tissues can't be ruled out, most studies emphasize the generation of reactive oxygen species. Oxidative stress alters redox equilibrium and disrupts morphology and normal functioning of sperms along with declination of total anti-oxidant capacity. CONCLUSION: In this paper, we describe a detailed literature review with the intent of analyzing the impact of electromagnetic radiation and understand the consequence on male reproductive system. The underlying mechanism suggesting ROS generation and pathway of action has also been discussed. Additionally, the safety measures while using electronic gadgets and mobile phones has also been presented.