Biochemical responses and phytoremediation potential of Azolla imbricata (Roxb.) Nakai in water and nutrient media exposed to waste metal cutting fluid along with temperature and humidity stress.

Phytoremediation of metals from water (WM) and nutrient (NM) media exposed to waste metal cutting fluid (WMCF) along with temperature (T) and humidity (H) stress was tested using Azolla imbricata (Roxb.) Nakai. In the absence of WMCF, biomass was higher in NM than in WM during all tests. Surprisingly, opposite results were noted in the presence of WMCF, with growth failing at exposure to > 0.1% and > 0.5% in NM and WM, respectively. Further, correlation analysis of the growth data following WM exposure revealed that biomass was affected positively by T and negatively by H and metal accumulation. Simultaneously, metal accumulation was affected negatively by T and positively by H. The average accumulations of Al, Cd, Cr, Fe, Pb, and Zn across all T/H tests were 540, 282, 71, 1645, 2494 and 1110 mg·kg-1, respectively. The observed bioconcentration factor indicated that A. imbricata acts as a hyperaccumulator or accumulator of Zn (>10) and as either accumulator (>1) or excluder (<1) of the other metals. Overall, the phytoremediation performance of A. imbricata in multi-metal-contaminated WMCF was high in WM under all environmental conditions. Therefore, the use of WM is an economically feasible approach for the removal of metals from WMCF.

Incidental detection of paranasal sinuses abnormalities on CT imaging of the head in Saudi adult population.

The paranasal sinuses are hollowed, air-filled cavities surrounding the nasal cavity. Many pathological processes affect the sinuses, but inflammatory conditions are the commonest, even in asymptomatic patients who undergo head imaging for other indications showing one or more abnormalities of the sinuses. Our research aims to determine the prevalence of incidental paranasal sinuses abnormalities seen among patients who undergo head CT scanning. In addition, it provides baseline information for further investigations required. The study was designed to evaluate all patients who underwent head CT scanning for any reason unrelated to paranasal sinuses abnormalities. 1849 cases were selected and retrospectively analyzed from the elective and emergency CT in the last nine months, from August 2020 to April 2021. In order to meet the inclusion criteria, indications for imaging must not be sinus-related. The study was conducted on 1849 cases who had undergone head CT scans for pathology, 1204 (65%) were male and 645 (35%) were female. Abnormalities of the sinuses were found in about 617 (33%) of all patients, with a higher rate in males (22.23%) than females (11.14%). In addition, these abnormalities were found in younger patients at a higher rate than in middle and old ages 19.74%, 7.19%, and 6.44%, respectively. Our findings revealed that the prevalence of paranasal sinuses abnormalities in asymptomatic Saudi patients was high (33%). Most of the affected sinuses were the maxillary. The male patients were more affected than females in all findings.

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Metallo ß-Lactamase Producing Gram-Negative Pathogens Causing Eye Infections.

Purpose: Metallo ß-lactamases (MßL) production is a worldwide problem, particularly in gram-negative bacteria. As scanty data is available on the prevalence of MBL, the present study is being undertaken to determine the prevalence, antibacterial sensitivity patterns, and molecular characterization of MßL associated resistant genes in gram-negative bacteria isolated from ocular infections. Material and Methods: At a tertiary eye care center in south India, 359 gram-negative pathogens, 200 isolates from eye infections, and 159 isolates from normal flora of the eye were studied. A gold standard microbiology method was used to identify the isolates. An antibiotic double disc synergy test and a combination disc test were used to detect MßL production. Multiplex PCR was used to investigate the molecular characteristics of the MßL encoding genes blaVIM, blaIMP, and blaNDM. Results: Of the 359 gram-negative bacterial pathogens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 108 (30.1%) and Enterobacter agglomerans 46 (12.8%) were commonly isolated. High prevalence of P. aeruginosa 81% (17 strains) was detected as an MßL producer and it shows 100% resistance to 2nd and 3rd generation cephalosporins and meropenem. Multiplex PCR detected only the blaVIM gene in 56 (28%) of various eye infections and 27 (17%) of normal flora of the gram-negative bacteria (GNB). The blaVIM gene is detected predominantly in 51.8% of keratitis and 21.4% of postoperative endophthalmitis. High prevalence of the gene was detected in P. aeruginosa 42.9% (24 of 56) and Alcaligens denitrificans 10.7% (6 of 56) from eye infections. Whereas, in the control group, P. aeruginosa and E. coli each had 14.8% (4 of 27) that were shown positive. Conclusion: The emerging MßLs mediated resistance among P. aeruginosa is a challenging task for ophthalmologists, especially in patients with endophthalmitis and bacterial keratitis. This local knowledge will aid in advising appropriate antibiotic use and avoiding unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, which are highly warranted.

Medicinal plants mediated the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their biomedical applications.

The alarming effect of antibiotic resistance prompted the search for alternative medicine to resolve the microbial resistance conflict. Over the last two decades, scientists have become increasingly interested in metallic nanoparticles to discover their new dimensions. Green nano synthesis is a rapidly expanding field of interest in nanotechnology due to its feasibility, low toxicity, eco-friendly nature, and long-term viability. Some plants have long been used in medicine because they contain a variety of bioactive compounds. Silver has long been known for its antibacterial properties. Silver nanoparticles have taken a special place among other metal nanoparticles. Silver nanotechnology has a big impact on medical applications like bio-coating, novel antimicrobial agents, and drug delivery systems. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pharmaceutical qualities of medicinal plants, as well as a convenient guideline for plant-based silver nanoparticles and their antimicrobial activity.

Bioengineered phytomolecules-capped silver nanoparticles using Carissa carandas leaf extract to embed on to urinary catheter to combat UTI pathogens.

Rising incidents of urinary tract infections (UTIs) among catheterized patients is a noteworthy problem in clinic due to their colonization of uropathogens on abiotic surfaces. Herein, we have examined the surface modification of urinary catheter by embedding with eco-friendly synthesized phytomolecules-capped silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to prevent the invasion and colonization of uropathogens. The preliminary confirmation of AgNPs production in the reaction mixture was witnessed by the colour change and surface resonance plasmon (SRP) band at 410nm by UV-visible spectroscopy. The morphology, size, crystalline nature, and elemental composition of attained AgNPs were further confirmed by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The functional groups of AgNPs with stabilization/capped phytochemicals were detected by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Further, antibiofilm activity of synthesized AgNPs against biofilm producers such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were determined by viability assays and micrographically. AgNPs coated and coating-free catheters performed to treat with bacterial pathogen to analyze the mat formation and disruption of biofilm formation. Synergistic effect of AgNPs with antibiotic reveals that it can enhance the activity of antibiotics, AgNPs coated catheter revealed that, it has potential antimicrobial activity and antibiofilm activity. In summary, C. carandas leaf extract mediated synthesized AgNPs will open a new avenue and a promising template to embed on urinary catheter to control clinical pathogens.

A novel approach to preparation of nano-adsorbent from agricultural wastes (Saccharum officinarum leaves) and its environmental application.

Saccharum officinarum leaves (SL) assisted nano-silica (NS) were synthesized and used as adsorbent to remove Pb2+ and Zn2+ from aqueous solutions. The crystalline nature, functional group, and morphology structure of synthesized NS were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) with EDS mapping, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface area and charge of the NS were also analyzed by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and zeta potential analysis. Removal efficiency of Pb2+ and Zn2+ from aqueous solutions was carried out under batch mode studies (pH, dose, equilibrium time with initial heavy weight metal ion concentration). The adsorption parameters were determined using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Langmuir, and Freundlich models. The kinetics and isotherms data were well fitted with pseudo-second-order and both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacities for Pb2+ and Zn2+ onto NS at room temperature (37 °C) were found to be 148 mg/g and 137 mg/g, respectively. Finally, we conclude that the NS synthesized from SL leaves (agricultural waste material) were found to be economically viable, promising adsorbent for metal ions from aqueous solutions and also efficient technology for waste management.

Fabrication, optimization, and characterization of noble silver nanoparticles from sugarcane leaf (Saccharum officinarum) extract for antifungal application.

Metal nanoparticles obtained from green route are gaining significant prominence as a result of their potential applications in nanomedicine and material engineering. Overall metal nanoparticles studied, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) clutch prominent place in nanoparticles research field. Herein, we have reported the green synthesis of Saccharum officinarum leaf biomass extract-mediated synthesis of AgNPs. Initial nanoparticle production was confirmed by visual observation as color change from light yellow to bright brown color with yellow shade and spectrophotometrically at 450 nm and the various reaction conditions were optimized. The FTIR spectra of the biomass extract and synthesized AgNPs authorized the presence of phyto constituents as capping agent. The High Resolution-Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM) analyses confirm the morphology and the average particle size of AgNPs as ~28.2 nm. The crystalline nature oxide state and mean particle diameter of AgNPs were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) pattern and face-centered cubic (FCC). The obtained AgNPs show moderate to good antifungal activity against Phytophthora capsici, Colletotrichum acutatum and Cladosporium fulvum as 10, 12 and 14 mm zones of inhibition against synthesized AgNPs at 250 µg/well, respectively.