Practical Guide to Measuring Wetland Carbon Pools and Fluxes.

Wetlands cover a small portion of the world, but have disproportionate influence on global carbon (C) sequestration, carbon dioxide and methane emissions, and aquatic C fluxes. However, the underlying biogeochemical processes that affect wetland C pools and fluxes are complex and dynamic, making measurements of wetland C challenging. Over decades of research, many observational, experimental, and analytical approaches have been developed to understand and quantify pools and fluxes of wetland C. Sampling approaches range in their representation of wetland C from short to long timeframes and local to landscape spatial scales. This review summarizes common and cutting-edge methodological approaches for quantifying wetland C pools and fluxes. We first define each of the major C pools and fluxes and provide rationale for their importance to wetland C dynamics. For each approach, we clarify what component of wetland C is measured and its spatial and temporal representativeness and constraints. We describe practical considerations for each approach, such as where and when an approach is typically used, who can conduct the measurements (expertise, training requirements), and how approaches are conducted, including considerations on equipment complexity and costs. Finally, we review key covariates and ancillary measurements that enhance the interpretation of findings and facilitate model development. The protocols that we describe to measure soil, water, vegetation, and gases are also relevant for related disciplines such as ecology. Improved quality and consistency of data collection and reporting across studies will help reduce global uncertainties and develop management strategies to use wetlands as nature-based climate solutions. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13157-023-01722-2.

Fe(III) cross-linked cellulose-agar hydrogel beads for efficient phosphate removal from aqueous solutions.

Fe(III) cross-linked cellulose agar beads (Fe-CLCAB) were synthesized by sol-gel method and employed as adsorbents for the removal of phosphate ions from aqueous medium. The synthesized Fe-CLCAB was characterized by its swelling property, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopic analysis. Batch adsorption studies were carried out to find out the optimum conditions of phosphate uptake. The adsorption process was found to fit both Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm model, pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and Elovich kinetic model. Ninety-four percent phosphate adsorption was achieved with 500 beads at pH 5. Maximum monolayer adsorption capacity was 73.13 mg/g. A two-step elution process using sodium chloride solution was suitable for complete desorption of phosphate from Fe-CLCAB. Six cyclic adsorption-desorption tests were conducted using a 0.1 M NaCl solution as desorbing agent. The removal efficiency of regenerated Fe-CLCAB was 42% of its original value after six cycles, which validates good stability and effectiveness of the prepared hydrogel beads. Ion exchange plays a vital role during adsorption/desorption of phosphate.

Verifiable, Secure Mobile Agent Migration in Healthcare Systems Using a Polynomial-Based Threshold Secret Sharing Scheme with a Blowfish Algorithm.

A mobile agent is a software application that moves naturally among hosts in a uniform and non-uniform environment; it starts with one host and then moves onto the next in order to divide data between clients. The mobile paradigm is utilized in a wide assortment of medical care applications such as the medical information of a patient, the recovery of clinical information, the incorporation of information pertaining to their wellbeing, dynamic help, telemedicine, obtaining clinical data, patient administration, and so on. The accompanying security issues have grown in tandem with the complexity and improvements in mobile agent technologies. As mobile agents work in an insecure environment, their security is a top priority when communicating and exchanging data and information. Data integrity, data confidentiality and authentication, on-repudiation, denial of service, and access control, are all key security concerns with mobile agent migration. This paper proposes a Verifiable, Secure Mobile Agent Migration model, based on two polynomials (t, n), and an edge secret imparting plan with Blowfish encryption, to enable secure information transmission in clinical medical care.

Genetic Algorithm-Based Human Mental Stress Detection and Alerting in Internet of Things.

Healthcare is one of the emerging application fields in the Internet of Things (IoT). Stress is a heightened psycho-physiological condition of the human that occurs in response to major objects or events. Stress factors are environmental elements that lead to stress. A person's emotional well-being can be negatively impacted by long-term exposure to several stresses affecting at the same time, which can cause chronic health issues. To avoid strain problems, it is vital to recognize them in their early stages, which can only be done through regular stress monitoring. Wearable gadgets offer constant and real information collecting, which aids in experiencing an increase. An investigation of stress discovery using detecting devices and deep learning-based is implemented in this work. This proposed work investigates stress detection techniques that are utilized with detecting hardware, for example, electroencephalography (EEG), photoplethysmography (PPG), and the Galvanic skin reaction (GSR) as well as in various conditions including traveling and learning. A genetic algorithm is utilized to separate the features, and the ECNN-LSTM is utilized to classify the given information by utilizing the DEAP dataset. Before that, preprocessing strategies are proposed for eliminating artifacts in the signal. Then, the stress that is beyond the threshold value is reached the emergency/alert state; in that case, an expert who predicts the mental stress sends the report to the patient/doctor through the Internet. Finally, the performance is evaluated and compared with the traditional approaches in terms of accuracy, f1-score, precision, and recall.

Role of abiotic factors in enhancing the capacity of mangroves in reducing ocean acidification.

The present study investigated the effects of rising carbon dioxide levels in nature and the carbon sequestration potential of dominant mangrove species for reducing the toxic effects of ocean acidification. The study was conducted on the east coast of Odisha, in the western Bay of Bengal. To determine the effect of these ambient parameters on the absorption of carbon dioxide by the mangroves, water temperature, salinity, pH levels of seawater along with soil texture and pH, salinity expressed in electrical conductivity, compactness expressed in bulk density, and soil organic carbon were simultaneously monitored. The aboveground biomass and carbon of the selected species were studied for 2 consecutive years at 10 designated stations. The total carbon calculated for the study area varied from 242.50 ± 49.00 to 1321.29 ± 445.52 tons with a mean of 626.68 ± 174.81 tons for Bhitarkanika and Mahanadi mangrove chunks. This is equivalent to 2299.92 ± 641.55 tons of CO2 absorbed from the atmosphere. A total of 27 equations were selected as the best fit models for the study area. The equations between mangrove biomass and carbon along with aquatic and edaphic factors governing the pH of water and soil strongly support the positive influence of mangrove photosynthetic activity in shifting the equilibrium toward alkalinity. This calls for conservation of mangrove ecosystem to minimize the pace of acidification of estuarine water. The results indicate that Excoecariaagallocha and Avicennia marina as are the most capable species for combatting maximum carbon dioxide toxicity from the atmosphere; which will be helpful in REDD + programs and carbon-based payments for ecosystem services (PES).

Carbon storage potential of tropical wetland forests of South Asia: a case study from Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, India.

Mangroves are halophytic vegetation comprising the tropics. Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, being a local hotspot of mangrove, acts as carbon sink for mitigating increased CO2 level in the atmosphere. The study estimated total biomass and total carbon in five selected stations of this Wildlife Sanctuary in reference to relevant ambient parameters of water (temperature, pH, and salinity) and soil (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, bulk density, organic carbon, organic matter, and texture) seasonally. The average values for total biomass and total carbon measured in this study are 866.67 ± 166.10 t ha-1 and 444.68 ± 83.70 t ha-1, respectively. The average soil organic carbon recorded was 3.73 ± 2.10 t ha-1 and average litter carbon was 0.59 ± 0.20 t ha-1, respectively. Among the components, above-ground biomass constitutes 55-70% of total biomass and total carbon. Significant positive relationship between biomass (above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass, litter biomass, total biomass) and carbon (above-ground carbon, below-ground carbon, litter carbon, soil organic carbon, and total carbon) was obtained with respect to selected physico-chemical variables which proved the significant effect of change in biomass and carbon to changing parameters of the ambient media in the study area. The analysis of variance computed between season and station has also proved the above phenomenon. The study revealed the mangrove carbon storage potential of 21 mangrove species, which is at par with the biomass of South-east Asia and South west Pacific countries. Hence, mangrove conservation programs like REDD+ can be adopted in this wildlife sanctuary being the 2nd largest mangrove patch of India after Sundarbans.

Culture of Macrobrachium rosenbergii using indigenous floral extract in the hilly terrains of Koraput district of Odisha, India.

An experimental design for culturing Macrobrachium rosenbergii in four experimental ponds of size 25 m2 was taken up in Koraput district of Odisha, India. The ponds were filled with water and Macrobrachium rosenbergii PL20 were released in the ponds with stocking density @ 4 m-2. Ponds 1 and 2 were fed with Conventional Feed (fish meal) and ponds 3 and 4 were fed with Formulated Feed (Soybean + Cynodon dactylon + Ulva lactuca). Water quality parameters like surface water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, transparency, nitrate, phosphate and silicate, chlorophyll a and organic carbon were monitored for 195 days. Significant variation (p < 0.05) in the water quality parameters were observed during the culture period between ponds respectively. Growth parameters like daily growth rate (DGR), specific growth rate (SGR) and condition index (CI) were monitored simultaneously which showed a discrete growth during the first 90 days and then a stable growth form. Length and weight relationship of prawns were calculated for all the culture ponds which showed highly positive relationship (p < 0.01) proving unique contribution of feed towards the growth of prawns. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) values (Ranging from 2.74 ± .05 to 2.95 ± 0.04) also proved the greater acceptance of feed towards the growth of prawns. Biochemical analysis of the feed and prawn (protein, carbohydrate, lipid and astaxanthin) also proved the feed efficiency towards growth and coloration of prawn. Benefit cost analysis (BCA) computed for conventional feed (1.23) and formulated feed (1.62) yielded 637 kg ha-1 and 865 kg ha-1 respectively.

Climate change-induced salinity variation impacts on a stenoecious mangrove species in the Indian Sundarbans.

The alterations in the salinity profile are an indirect, but potentially sensitive, indicator for detecting changes in precipitation, evaporation, river run-off, glacier retreat, and ice melt. These changes have a high impact on the growth of coastal plant species, such as mangroves. Here, we present estimates of the variability of salinity and the biomass of a stenoecious mangrove species (Heritiera fomes, commonly referred to as Sundari) in the aquatic subsystem of the lower Gangetic delta based on a dataset from 2004 to 2015. We highlight the impact of salinity alteration on the change in aboveground biomass of this endangered species that, due to different salinity profile in the western and central sectors of the lower Gangetic plain, shows an increase only in the former sector, where the salinity is dropping and low growth in the latter, where the salinity is increasing.

SOCS3 induces neurite differentiation and promotes neuronal cell survival.

Cytokines and growth factors play an important role in neuronal survival as well as cell death. The family of suppressors of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins, which includes SOCS1-7 and cytokine-induced suppressor (CIS), has been shown to act as negative regulators of cytokine-induced signalling. In this report, we highlight the role of SOCS3 in regulating neuronal differentiation and survival. We observed increased SOCS3 expression upon differentiation of PC12 cells as well as neural stem cells. SOCS3 overexpression upregulated differentiation of both neural stem cells and PC12 cells even in the absence of NGF, as evidenced by enhanced neurite outgrowth and upregulation of GAP43, marker associated with neurite outgrowth. siRNA-mediated silencing of SOCS3 confirmed the potential role of SOCS3 in neuritogenesis. We observed that, SOCS3-induced neurite differentiation was mediated via the PI3 kinase pathway. Another interesting observation was that SOCS3 overexpression promoted neuronal cell survival under H2 O2 -mediated stress indicating its fundamental role in cell survival. In conclusion, our results indicate that SOCS3 promotes differentiation and survival of neural cells and could be potentially useful in future therapy for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(6):468-476, 2016.

Expression of the murine transcription factor SOX3 during embryonic and adult neurogenesis.

Previous studies have shown that Sox3 is expressed in nascent neuroprogenitor cells and is functionally required in mammals for development of the dorsal telencephalon and hypothalamus. However, Sox3 expression during embryonic and adult neurogenesis has not been examined in detail. Using a SOX3-specific antibody, we show that murine SOX3 expression is maintained throughout telencephalic neurogenesis and is restricted to progenitor cells with neuroepithelial and radial glial morphologies. We also demonstrate that SOX3 is expressed within the adult neurogenic regions and is coexpressed extensively with the neural stem cell marker SOX2 indicating that it is a lifelong marker of neuroprogenitor cells. In contrast to the telencephalon, Sox3 expression within the developing hypothalamus is upregulated in developing neurons and is maintained in a subset of differentiated hypothalamic cells through to adulthood. Together, these data show that Sox3 regulation is region-specific, consistent with it playing distinct biological roles in the dorsal telencephalon and hypothalamus.

IGF-1 stimulated upregulation of cyclin D1 is mediated via STAT5 signaling pathway in neuronal cells.

Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STATs) regulate various target genes such as cyclin D1, MYC, and BCL2 in nonneuronal cells which contribute towards progression as well as prevention of apoptosis and are involved in differentiation and cell survival. However, in neuronal cells, the role of STATs in the activation and regulation of these target genes and their signaling pathways are still not well established. In this study, a robust cyclin D1 expression was observed following IGF-1 stimulation in SY5Y cells as well as neurospheres. JAK/STAT pathway was shown to be involved in this upregulation. A detailed promoter analysis revealed that the specific STAT involved was STAT5, which acted as a positive regulatory element for cyclin D1 expression. Overexpression studies confirmed increase in cyclin D1 expression in response to STAT5a and STAT5b constructs when compared to dominant-negative STAT5. siRNA targeting STAT5, diminished the cyclin D1 expression, further confirming that STAT5 specifically regulated cyclin D1 in neuronal cells. Together, these findings shed new light on the mechanism of IGF-1 mediated upregulation of cyclin D1 expression in neural cell lines as well as in neural stem cells via the JAK/STAT5 signaling cascade.

Design, synthesis, characterization and DNA-binding studies of a triphenyltin(IV) complex of N-glycoside (GATPT), a sugar based apoptosis inducer: in vitro and in vivo assessment of induction of apoptosis by GATPT.

The novel organotin complex 1-{(2-hydroxyethyl)amino}-2-amino-1,2-dideoxy-D-glucose triphenyltin(iv) (GATPT) was synthesized by the reaction of N-glycoside ligand and triphenyltin(iv) chloride. GATPT was characterized by elemental analyses, polarimetry, IR, CD, UV and multinuclear ((1)H, (13)C, (119)Sn) 1D and 2D NMR. The interaction of GATPT with calf thymus DNA was studied by using viscometry, absorption, emission and circular dichoric spectral methods. The DNA binding results suggested the intercalative mode of binding for GATPT with DNA along with simultaneous electrostatic interaction between the Sn(iv) center and the phosphate backbone of the DNA helix. GATPT was tested for its cytotoxic properties against SY5Y, PC-12 and N2A neuronal tumor cell lines. GATPT induced significant apoptosis in the PC-12 cell line characterized by DNA fragmentation and chromosome condensation. Treatment of PC-12 cells with GATPT resulted in a dramatic up-regulation of Bax and Bak and down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2. Apoptotic induction by GATPT was shown to be mediated in a p53-dependent manner and loss of p53 impaired the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol. Caspase-3 was found to be indispensable for the GATPT triggered apoptosis signaling pathway. Furthermore, in vivo studies using a nude mice model revealed that GATPT exhibits significant antiproliferative activity against tumor development with minimal cytotoxicity. These findings warrant further clinical investigations of GATPT as a therapeutic agent for cancer chemotherapy.

Concentrations of some heavy metals in commercially important finfish and shellfish of the River Ganga.

Heavy metals are dangerous to aquatic organisms and it can be bioaccumulated in the food chain leading to diseases in human. Cumulative effects of metals or chronic poisoning may occur as a result of long-term exposure even to low concentrations. The accumulation of heavy metals varies depending upon the species, environmental conditions, and inhibitory processes. Concentrations of zinc, copper, lead, and cadmium were determined in finfish and shellfish species in the Gangetic delta using a PerkinElmer Sciex ELAN 5000 ICP mass spectrometer and expressed as milligrams per kilogram of dry weight. In finfish and shellfish species the concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd were comparatively higher at stations 1 and 2 than the permissible level of WHO. The concentration of metals exhibited significant spatial variation and followed the order station 1 > station 2 > station 3 > station 4, which may be related to different degree of contamination in different location. The metal accumulation exhibited species specificity.

Suppressor of cytokine signalling-6 promotes neurite outgrowth via JAK2/STAT5-mediated signalling pathway, involving negative feedback inhibition.

BACKGROUND: Suppressors of cytokine signalling (SOCS) protein family are key regulators of cellular responses to cytokines and play an important role in the nervous system. The SOCS6 protein, a less extensively studied SOCS family member, has been shown to induce insulin resistance in the retina and promote survival of the retinal neurons. But no reports are available about the role of SOCS6 in neuritogenesis. In this study, we examined the role of SOCS6 in neurite outgrowth and neuronal cell signalling. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The effect of SOCS6 in neural stem cells differentiation was studied in neural stem cells and PC12 cell line. Highly elevated levels of SOCS6 were found upon neural cell differentiation both at the mRNA and protein level. Furthermore, SOCS6 over-expression lead to increase in neurite outgrowth and degree of branching, whereas SOCS6 knockdown with specific siRNAs, lead to a significant decrease in neurite initiation and extension. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) stimulation which enhanced neurite outgrowth of neural cells resulted in further enhancement of SOCS6 expression. Jak/Stat (Janus Kinase/Signal Transducer And Activator Of Transcription) pathway was found to be involved in the SOCS6 mediated neurite outgrowth. Bioinformatics study revealed presence of putative Stat binding sites in the SOCS6 promoter region. Transcription factors Stat5a and Stat5b were involved in SOCS6 gene upregulation leading to neuronal differentiation. Following differentiation, SOCS6 was found to form a ternary complex with IGFR (Insulin Like Growth Factor-1 Receptor) and JAK2 which acted in a negative feedback loop to inhibit pStat5 activation. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: The current paradigm for the first time states that SOCS6, a SOCS family member, plays an important role in the process of neuronal differentiation. These findings define a novel molecular mechanism for Jak2/Stat5 mediated SOCS6 signalling.

Trace elements in edible shellfish species from the lower Gangetic delta.

The accumulation of trace elements in edible shellfish species may lead to serious health problems through the food chain. In this study we measured the concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd in the shellfish species like Penaeus monodon, Penaeus indicus, Scylla serrata, Saccostrea cucullata and Crassostrea madrasensis using a ICP mass spectrometer. Samples were collected from the lower stretch of the River Ganga which receives wastes of complex character from industries and various anthropogenic activities. The trace element concentrations present an alarming picture from the point of human consumption and at the same time exhibit significant spatial variations. The bioaccumulation pattern of selected trace elements also exhibit species specificity.

Chronic care and addictions treatment: a feasibility study on the implementation of posttreatment continuing recovery monitoring.

In the treatment of drug addiction, as with other chronic conditions, the effects of treatment are significant but not long lasting after discharge unless continuing monitoring is provided. Efforts to help patients sustain positive treatment outcomes are generally directed to community support. Postdischarge checkups can help patients evaluate their behavior and recovery-related issues--similar to a person with diabetes reporting on blood sugar levels and diet and exercise patterns. The challenge for providers is to raise awareness of the importance of continuing recovery monitoring and the responsibility of the treatment program to build a more seamless continuum of care for patients who have completed a primary treatment episode. This article reviews a pilot project of the Department of Alcohol & Drug Services of Santa Clara County, California that tested the feasibility of implementing a continuing recovery monitoring (CRM) service using post-discharge telephone check-ups for volunteer patients (N=32) who completed treatment. The aims of the study were to (a) develop a model for continuing recovery monitoring, (b) gather data on the model's utility including identifying organizational and logistical challenges and, (c) describe several changes needed in the system of care to add CRM. The study showed that the model of continuing recovery monitoring is a feasible way to extend a system's existing continuum of care.

Molecular networks involved in mouse cerebral corticogenesis and spatio-temporal regulation of Sox4 and Sox11 novel antisense transcripts revealed by transcriptome profiling.

BACKGROUND: Development of the cerebral cortex requires highly specific spatio-temporal regulation of gene expression. It is proposed that transcriptome profiling of the cerebral cortex at various developmental time points or regions will reveal candidate genes and associated molecular pathways involved in cerebral corticogenesis. RESULTS: Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) libraries were constructed from C57BL/6 mouse cerebral cortices of age embryonic day (E) 15.5, E17.5, postnatal day (P) 1.5 and 4 to 6 months. Hierarchical clustering analysis of 561 differentially expressed transcripts showed regionalized, stage-specific and co-regulated expression profiles. SAGE expression profiles of 70 differentially expressed transcripts were validated using quantitative RT-PCR assays. Ingenuity pathway analyses of validated differentially expressed transcripts demonstrated that these transcripts possess distinctive functional properties related to various stages of cerebral corticogenesis and human neurological disorders. Genomic clustering analysis of the differentially expressed transcripts identified two highly transcribed genomic loci, Sox4 and Sox11, during embryonic cerebral corticogenesis. These loci feature unusual overlapping sense and antisense transcripts with alternative polyadenylation sites and differential expression. The Sox4 and Sox11 antisense transcripts were highly expressed in the brain compared to other mouse organs and are differentially expressed in both the proliferating and differentiating neural stem/progenitor cells and P19 (embryonal carcinoma) cells. CONCLUSIONS: We report validated gene expression profiles that have implications for understanding the associations between differentially expressed transcripts, novel targets and related disorders pertaining to cerebral corticogenesis. The study reports, for the first time, spatio-temporally regulated Sox4 and Sox11 antisense transcripts in the brain, neural stem/progenitor cells and P19 cells, suggesting they have an important role in cerebral corticogenesis and neuronal/glial cell differentiation.

Transgenic overexpression of insulin receptor substrate 1 in hepatocytes enhances hepatocellular proliferation in young mice only.

AIM: The insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) is a multisite docking protein which plays a central role in the signal transduction of growth factors such as insulin and insulin-like growth factors (IGF-1 and IGF-2). It is found to be frequently overexpressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: To study IRS-1 overexpression in hepatocytes in vivo, transgenic mice overexpressing IRS-1 exclusively in hepatocytes were created, showing enhanced hepatocyte proliferation in young animals. In the present study, the phenotype of IRS-1 transgenic animals was characterized over a period of two years. The livers of transgenic and control mice were analyzed for IRS-1 expression and phosphorylation, activation of the downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade and phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase (PI3'K) and macroscopical and histological abnormalities. RESULTS: The enhanced hepatocyte proliferation observed in young IRS-1 transgenic animals was no longer detectable in adult mice. Despite constitutive overexpression and phosphorylation of IRS-1, MAPK- and IRS-1-associated PI3'K activity were significantly reduced in older transgenic mice. Furthermore, no premalignant lesions or HCC were detected in IRS-1 transgenic animals up to the age of 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, additional mechanisms such as enhanced growth factor expression or impaired negative feedback control mechanisms may augment IRS-1 overexpression in human hepatocarcinogenesis.

Comparison of Health Realization and 12-Step treatment in women's residential substance abuse treatment programs.

The purpose of this study was to compare a relatively new therapeutic option for substance abuse treatment, Health Realization, and 12-Step approaches offered in women's residential programs. The study was sponsored by a large California county's Department of Alcohol and Drug Services, which had offered Health Realization treatment for a number of years. This study constitutes the first systematic evaluation of Health Realization as a substance abuse treatment program for adult women in a residential treatment setting. This was a randomized study with two observations-admission and 9 months post-admission. The results showed that clients in both Health Realization and 12-Step treatment exhibited comparable outcomes on domains such as substance use, criminal justice involvement, employment, housing, adverse effects of substance use and psychological well being. Substance use declined significantly between admission and follow-up in both treatment groups, irrespective of duration of treatment. Similarly, adverse effects of substance use declined between admission and 9-month follow-up. Health Realization and 12-Step treatment offered comparable benefits for women in residential substance abuse treatment programs.

DNA binding studies of novel Copper(II) complexes containing L-tryptophan as chiral auxiliary: in vitro antitumor activity of Cu-Sn2 complex in human neuroblastoma cells.

Novel trinuclear complexes C23H31N6O6CuSn2Cl5 [1], C23H31N6O6CuZr2Cl5 [2], C23H31N6O6ZnSn2Cl5 [3], and C23H31N6O6ZnZr2Cl5 [4] were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic (IR, 1H, 13C, 2D COSY, and 119Sn NMR, EPR, UV-vis, ESI-MS) and analytical methods. In complexes 1-4, the geometry of copper and zinc metal ions were described as square-based pyramidal with l-tryptophan coordinated to copper/zinc via carboxylate group while Sn/Zr was present in the hexacoordinate environment. The interaction of 1 and 2 with calf thymus DNA in Tris buffer was studied by electronic absorption titration, luminescence titration, cyclic voltammetry, circular dichroism, and viscometric measurements. The emission quenching of these complexes by [Fe(CN)6]4- depressed greatly when bound to DNA. Observed changes in the circular dichoric spectra of DNA in presence of 1 and 2 support the strong binding of complexes with DNA. The relative specific viscosity of DNA bound to 1 and 2 decreased, indicating that the complexes bind to DNA via covalent binding. The results reveal that the extent of DNA binding of 1 was greater than that of 2. To evaluate the mechanistic pathway of DNA inhibition, counting experiments and MTT assay were employed to assess the induction of apoptosis by 1. Western blot analysis of whole cell lysates and mitochondrial fractions with Bcl-2 and p-53 family proteins and caspase-3 colorimetry assay were also carried out on a human neuroblastoma cell line SY5Y.