Are there conserved biosynthetic genes in lichens? Genome-wide assessment of terpene biosynthetic genes suggests ubiquitous distribution of the squalene synthase cluster.

Lichen-forming fungi (LFF) are prolific producers of functionally and structurally diverse secondary metabolites, most of which are taxonomically exclusive and play lineage-specific roles. To date, widely distributed, evolutionarily conserved biosynthetic pathways in LFF are not known. However, this idea stems from polyketide derivatives, since most biochemical research on lichens has concentrated on polyketide synthases (PKSs). Here, we present the first systematic identification and comparison of terpene biosynthetic genes of LFF using all the available Lecanoromycete reference genomes and 22 de novo sequenced ones (111 in total, representing 60 genera and 23 families). We implemented genome mining and gene networking approaches to identify and group the biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) into networks of similar BGCs. Our large-scale analysis led to the identification of 724 terpene BGCs with varying degrees of pairwise similarity. Most BGCs in the dataset were unique with no similarity to a previously known fungal or bacterial BGC or among each other. Remarkably, we found two BGCs that were widely distributed in LFF. Interestingly, both conserved BGCs contain the same core gene, i.e., putatively a squalene/phytoene synthase (SQS), involved in sterol biosynthesis. This indicates that early gene duplications, followed by gene losses/gains and gene rearrangement are the major evolutionary factors shaping the composition of these widely distributed SQS BGCs across LFF. We provide an in-depth overview of these BGCs, including the transmembrane, conserved, variable and LFF-specific regions. Our study revealed that lichenized fungi do have a highly conserved BGC, providing the first evidence that a biosynthetic gene may constitute essential genes in lichens.

Lateral flow assays: Progress and evolution of recent trends in point-of-care applications.

Paper based point-of-care (PoC) detection platforms applying lateral flow assays (LFAs) have gained paramount approval in the diagnostic domain as well as in environmental applications owing to their ease of utility, low cost, and rapid signal readout. It has centralized the aspect of self-evaluation exhibiting promising potential in the last global pandemic era of Covid-19 implementing rapid management of public health in remote areas. In this perspective, the present review is focused towards landscaping the current framework of LFAs along with integration of components and characteristics for improving the assay by pushing the detection limits. The review highlights the synergistic aspects of assay designing, sample enrichment strategies, novel nanomaterials-based signal transducers, and high-end analytical techniques that contribute significantly towards sensitivity and specificity enhancement. Various recent studies are discussed supporting the innovations in LFA systems that focus upon the accuracy and reliability of rapid PoC testing. The review also provides a comprehensive overview of all the possible difficulties in commercialization of LFAs subjecting its applicability to pathogen surveillance, water and food testing, disease diagnostics, as well as to agriculture and environmental issues.

Association Between Clinical Severity, Neuroimaging, and Electroencephalographic Findings in Children with Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis.

BACKGROUND: Children diagnosed with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) display a range of neuroimaging abnormalities during different stages of the disease, but their exact clinical significance remains unclear. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, our objective was to examine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities in the brains of patients aged 18 years or younger with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. We aimed to correlate these MRI abnormalities with clinical severity, sociodemographic variables, electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities, and cerebrospinal anti-measles antibody titers. RESULTS: The study included 112 cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (mean age at onset: 8.9 ± 2.6 years). MRI analysis at the time of presentation revealed the following abnormalities: subcortical white matter signal changes (n = 95), periventricular white matter signal changes (n = 76), splenium of corpus callosum involvement (n = 39), diffuse corpus callosum involvement (n = 27), cerebral atrophy (n = 35), basal ganglia involvement (n = 10), and brain stem involvement (n = 2). Notably, subcortical white matter involvement, periventricular white matter involvement, diffuse corpus callosum involvement, and basal ganglia involvement were more prevalent in patients with stage III and IV subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (P < .05 for all). Cerebral atrophy was also significantly more common in patients with stage III compared to those with stage IV subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (P < .0001). However, no substantial positive or negative associations were found between MRI findings and EEG abnormalities, other sociodemographic/clinical variables, and cerebrospinal fluid measles-specific antibody titers (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Early in the disease progression of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, the temporoparietal and parietooccipital regions of the subcortical white matter are affected. Neuroimaging abnormalities exhibit a stronger association with Jabbour's clinical staging, but do not show significant associations with other clinical, sociodemographic, and EEG features.

UPLC-ESI MS/MS- and GC-MS-Based Altitudinal Variations in the Bioactive Potential of Mikania micrantha and Ageratum houstonianum.

Traditional medicinal plants have attracted scientific interest due to their bioactive compounds, and the levels of their constituents vary with location and altitude. The present study was designed to evaluate the pharmacological potential of two selected traditional medicinal plants, Mikania micrantha and Ageratum houstonianum collected from two sites, Murlen National Park (MNP) and Dampa Tiger Reserve (DTR), located at different altitudes. Both plant species are used by local traditional healers in Mizoram, Northeast India, to treat various health problems. We hypothesized that altitudinal variation would affect these plants' chemical composition and bioactive potential. Plant extracts were evaluated for antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. The results show that the plants located at a higher altitude, i.e., MNP, showed higher TPC (615.7 ± 0.58 and 453.80 ± 0.95 µg gallic acid equivalents/mg of plant extract dry weight (µg GAE/mg) for M. micrantha and A. houstonianum , respectively) and TFC (135.4 ± 0.46 and 120.66 ± 1.93 µg quercetin equivalents/mg of plant extract dry weight (µg GE/mg) for M. micrantha and A. houstonianum, respectively). The extract of A. houstonianum. (MNP) exhibited significantly greater antioxidant activity against ABTS radicals (IC50 241.6 µg/mL) as compared to the extract of A. houstonianum (DTR) (IC50 371.2 µg/mL). The composition of the bioactive compounds present in the plants was determined using UPLC-ESI MS/MS and GC/MS, which detected five and ten compounds in the A. houstonianum and M. micrantha extracts, respectively. Plant species collected from the Murlen National Park site had high bioactivity potential and contained several bioactive compounds. A distinct variation between the volatile and non-volatile compounds was revealed. The collective data in this study show the influence of altitude on the biological compound production of selected medicinal plants. The findings will be utilized in the plant material needed for developing bioactive formulations.

A self-amplifying RNA vaccine prevents enterovirus D68 infection and disease in preclinical models.

The recent emergence and rapid response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was enabled by prototype pathogen and vaccine platform approaches, driven by the preemptive application of RNA vaccine technology to the related Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Recently, the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases identified nine virus families of concern, eight enveloped virus families and one nonenveloped virus family, for which vaccine generation is a priority. Although RNA vaccines have been described for a variety of enveloped viruses, a roadmap for their use against nonenveloped viruses is lacking. Enterovirus D68 was recently designated a prototype pathogen within the family Picornaviridae of nonenveloped viruses because of its rapid evolution and respiratory route of transmission, coupled with a lack of diverse anti-enterovirus vaccine approaches in development. Here, we describe a proof-of-concept approach using a clinical stage RNA vaccine platform that induced robust enterovirus D68-neutralizing antibody responses in mice and nonhuman primates and prevented upper and lower respiratory tract infections and neurological disease in mice. In addition, we used our platform to rapidly characterize the antigenic diversity within the six genotypes of enterovirus D68, providing the necessary data to inform multivalent vaccine compositions that can elicit optimal breadth of neutralizing responses. These results demonstrate that RNA vaccines can be used as tools in our pandemic-preparedness toolbox for nonenveloped viruses.

Prediction of geogenic source of groundwater fluoride contamination in Indian states: A comparative study of different supervised machine learning algorithms.

India has been dealing with fluoride contamination of groundwater for the past few decades. Long-term exposure of fluoride can cause skeletal and dental fluorosis. Therefore, an in-depth exploration of fluoride concentrations in different parts of India is desirable. This work employs machine learning algorithms to analyze the fluoride concentrations in five major affected Indian states (Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal). A correlation matrix was used to identify appropriate predictor variables for fluoride prediction. The various algorithms used for predictions included K-nearest neighbor (KNN), logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), support vector classifier (SVC), Gaussian NB, MLP classifier, decision tree classifier, gradient boosting classifier, voting classifier soft and voting classifier hard. The performance of these models is assessed over accuracy, precision, recall and error rate and receiver operating curve. As the dataset was skewed, the performance of models was evaluated before and after resampling. Analysis of results indicates that the RF model is the best model for predicting fluoride contamination in groundwater in Indian states.

Risk management in a clinical pathology laboratory: Application of brainstorming and probability analysis for risk reduction.

INTRODUCTION: Risk management includes identifying various risks, assessing the probability of occurrence, and evaluating the severity of their consequences. As clinical laboratories are integrally involved in patient care, risks in the laboratories could present grave consequences in some instances. This study aimed to utilize simple techniques for risk management in a clinical laboratory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All potential risks in the pathology laboratory of a tertiary-level hospital were identified and classified into natural calamity, environmental, manpower-related, pre-analytical, analytical, post-analytical, and laboratory hazard-related risks through a brainstorming session. The probability of occurrence of each risk was estimated from departmental and hospital records. The possible impact of risk (score 1-10) was categorized into catastrophic, critical, serious, minor negligible, and insignificant. The unweighted risk score was calculated by multiplying the probability of occurrence and impact score. RESULTS: Inadequate sample-to-anticoagulant ratio had the highest probability of occurrence (22.85%), followed by quantity insufficient for analysis (7.30%) and laboratory information system (LIS) breakdown (6.58%). The highest unweighted risk score in our study was inadequate sample-to-anticoagulant ratio (score 91.40), followed by improperly labeled samples (score 35.61), manpower competency issues (score 32.88), sample insufficient for analysis (score 29.20), and LIS breakdown (score 26.30). CONCLUSION: We found that among all the categories, risks involving the pre-analytical phase had the highest risk scores. The other important risks included manpower competency issues requiring continued on-the-job training of staff as a risk reduction strategy. Brainstorming and probability analysis could be easily used for risk management in a clinical laboratory.

Decoding the TAome and computational insights into parDE toxin-antitoxin systems in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) modules are widely found in the genomes of pathogenic bacteria. They regulate vital cellular functions like transcription, translation, and DNA replication, and are therefore essential to the survival of bacteria under stress. With a focus on the type II parDE modules, this study thoroughly examines TAome in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium well-known for its adaptability and antibiotic resistance. We explored the TAome in three P. aeruginosa strains: ATCC 27,853, PAO1, and PA14, and found 15 type II TAs in ATCC 27,853, 12 in PAO1, and 13 in PA14, with significant variation in the associated mobile genetic elements. Five different parDE homologs were found by further TAome analysis in ATCC 27,853, and their relationships were confirmed by sequence alignments and precise genomic positions. After comparing these ParDE modules' sequences to those of other pathogenic bacteria, it was discovered that they were conserved throughout many taxa, especially Proteobacteria. Nucleic acids were predicted as potential ligands for ParD antitoxins, whereas ParE toxins interacted with a wide range of small molecules, indicating a diverse functional repertoire. The interaction interfaces between ParDE TAs were clarified by protein-protein interaction networks and docking studies, which also highlighted important residues involved in binding. This thorough examination improves our understanding of the diversity, evolutionary dynamics, and functional significance of TA systems in P. aeruginosa, providing insights into their roles in bacterial physiology and pathogenicity.

Deciphering the genetic landscape of enhanced poly-3-hydroxybutyrate production in Synechocystis sp. B12.

BACKGROUND: Microbial biopolymers such as poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) are emerging as promising alternatives for sustainable production of biodegradable bioplastics. Their promise is heightened by the potential utilisation of photosynthetic organisms, thus exploiting sunlight and carbon dioxide as source of energy and carbon, respectively. The cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. B12 is an attractive candidate for its superior ability to accumulate high amounts of PHB as well as for its high-light tolerance, which makes it extremely suitable for large-scale cultivation. Beyond its practical applications, B12 serves as an intriguing model for unravelling the molecular mechanisms behind PHB accumulation. RESULTS: Through a multifaceted approach, integrating physiological, genomic and transcriptomic analyses, this work identified genes involved in the upregulation of chlorophyll biosynthesis and phycobilisome degradation as the possible candidates providing Synechocystis sp. B12 an advantage in growth under high-light conditions. Gene expression differences in pentose phosphate pathway and acetyl-CoA metabolism were instead recognised as mainly responsible for the increased Synechocystis sp. B12 PHB production during nitrogen starvation. In both response to strong illumination and PHB accumulation, Synechocystis sp. B12 showed a metabolic modulation similar but more pronounced than the reference strain, yielding in better performances. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms of PHB biosynthesis, providing valuable insights for optimising the use of Synechocystis in economically viable and sustainable PHB production. In addition, this work supplies crucial knowledge about the metabolic processes involved in production and accumulation of these molecules, which can be seminal for the application to other microorganisms as well.

Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation of T6 Dermatome on Appetite and Weight Reduction in Obese Individuals: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Previous work demonstrated the beneficial effect of T6 dermatomal stimulation by the percutaneous method in managing obesity. However, a simple, cost-effective, and feasible intervention stimulating the dermatome can be a potential solution for obesity care. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to find the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) of T6 dermatome on appetite and weight loss in obese individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective single-arm experimental study, 20 obese patients received TENS treatment of T6 dermatome for 30 min, once a week and for 12 weeks. Outcome measures such as appetite level in the visual analog scale (VAS), weight in kg, and basal metabolic index (BMI) in kg/m2 were assessed at baseline, 12 weeks -post-intervention, and at 8 weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in all the variables was found from baseline to 12 weeks of intervention (P < 0.001) and maintained till 8 weeks of follow-up. From pre- to post-treatment, the effect size for appetite reduction was large (>1) while for weight and BMI loss was (0.14, 0.16), respectively small. Additionally, a weak correlation was found between pre- and follow-up appetite and weight loss (r = 0.25, P = 0.294). CONCLUSIONS: Twelve weeks of TENS treatment of T6 dermatome showed a positive effect in reducing appetite with sustained reduction up to 8 weeks of follow-up even after completion of the intervention. However, in the absence of dietary modification, TENS treatment was associated with low effect sizes weight and BMI loss.

Development of whey protein beverage incorporating encapsulated probiotic strain Lactiplantibacillus rhamnosus NCDC 347 and its physico-chemical characteristics.

In the present study, encapsulated strain Lactiplantibacillus rhamnosus NCDC 347 was used to prepare a novel whey protein-based beverage. The encapsulation process utilized skimmed milk powder matrix and evaluated strain viability, physico-chemical properties, sensory assessment, and shelf-life stability. Encapsulated L. rhamnosus NCDC 347 within skim milk powder maintained viability at 8.0 log CFU/g, forming spherical microcapsules with 1-12 µm concavities. Probiotic addition to whey protein beverages maintained pH and acidity within desired ranges. Physico-chemical analysis showed protein content of 8.71 ± 0.21 % to 10.05 ± 0.42 %, fat content of 0.56 ± 0.24 % to 0.67 ± 0.13 %, viscosity of 5.14 pa/s, and total soluble solids (TSS) of 14.42 ± 0.31 to 16.16 ± 0.23° Brix. The shelf-life study revealed that the beverage remained stable for up to 90 days with no significant changes (p > 0.05) in sensory analysis. The sensory analysis scored the test sample's acceptability at 7.3 ± 0.41. The protein-rich probiotic drink exhibited favorable sensory qualities. Overall, incorporating encapsulated probiotic strain L. rhamnosus NCDC 347 into whey protein beverages could address daily protein requirements and enhance health.

An Ambispective Community-Based Survival Study of Common Cancers in Rural Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Western India.

Background Cancer is the leading cause of death globally. Information on cancer patterns and survival is essential for the effective planning and implementation of cancer control interventions. Objective This study aimed to identify various factors associated with the survival estimates of common cancers. Methods A community-based ambispective study was conducted in a rural population. Data were collected from individuals diagnosed with cancer or relatives of individuals who died of cancer. The total population covered was 82,983. All cancer cases diagnosed since 2005 and followed until the year 2020 were included. Survival analysis and five-year survival rates were estimated. A Cox proportional hazard model was used. Results A total of 146 cancer patients were included in the study. Five-year survival estimates for breast cancer, head and neck cancer, and GI cancer were 72%, 28%, and 0%, respectively. The median survival time was lowest for GI cancers (1 year), and for head and neck and breast cancers, it was 3 and 6 years, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression was performed, adjusting for age, type of hospital, alcohol use, tobacco use, opium use, gender, treatment sought, GI cancer, frequency of changing hospitals, and frequency of follow-up. After adjustment, changing hospitals ≥3 times, being lost to follow-up, receiving no treatment, tobacco abuse, and the presence of GI cancers were significantly associated with survival estimates. Conclusions The five-year survival estimate for GI cancers was the lowest compared to other cancers. Study participants who were lost to follow-up or who took no treatment were significantly associated with lower survival estimates.

Hypoactivation of ventromedial frontal cortex in major depressive disorder: an MEG study of the Reward Positivity.

Background: The Reward Positivity (RewP) is sensitive and specific electrophysiological marker of reward receipt. These characteristics make it a compelling candidate marker of dysfunctional reward processing in major depressive disorder. We previously proposed that the RewP is a nexus of multiple aspects of reward variance, and that a diminished RewP in depression might only reflect a deficit in some of this variance. Specifically, we predicted a diminished ventromedial contribution in depression in the context of maintained reward learning. Methods: Here we collected magnetoencephalographic (MEG) recordings of reward receipt in 43 individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD group) and 38 healthy controls (CTL group). MEG allows effective source estimation due to the absence of volume conduction that compromises electroencephalographic recordings. Results: The MEG RewP analogue was generated by a broad set of cortical areas, yet only right ventromedial and right ventral temporal areas were diminished in MDD. These areas correlated with a principal component of anhedonia derived from multiple questionnaires. Compellingly, BA25 was the frontal region with the largest representation in both of these effects. Conclusions: These findings not only advance our understanding underlying the computation of the RewP, but they also dovetail with convergent findings from other types of functional source imaging in depression, as well as from deep brain stimulation treatments. Together, these discoveries suggest that the RewP may be a valuable marker for objective assessment of reward affect and its disruption in major depression.

A Study of Histological and Clinical Parameters and Their Correlation With Lymph Node Metastasis and Two-Year Survival in 50 Cases of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most prevalent malignant neoplasms in South Asia and a major public health problem in India. The purpose of the study was to identify correlations among various clinicopathological parameters of OSCC in a tertiary care center in the Eastern Uttar Pradesh population of North India. The study is imperative due to the scarcity of available data from this region. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective observational study was conducted on the cases received in the Department of Pathology over the period of January 2021 to December 2021. The study analyzed cases of OSCC, focusing on various factors such as age, gender, habits, tumor site, tumor size, differentiation, tumor-stroma ratio, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, tumor budding, worst pattern of invasion, depth of invasion, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, underlying bone and overlying skin involvement, regional lymph node metastasis, and overall two-year survival. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 47.80 ± 12.48 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 15.6:1. Buccal mucosa was the most frequently affected site followed by the tongue. Fifty-six percent of cases reported with a history of tobacco abuse. Thirty-six percent of the patients had regional lymph node metastasis and exhibited a strong association with younger age, substance abuse, higher tumor size, tongue as a site, moderate-to-poor tumor differentiation, low tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and higher perineural and lymphovascular invasion. Moreover, at the end of the two-year survival analysis, 34% of patients succumbed to the disease. Overall survival was observed to be significantly better with <2 cm maximum tumor size, well-differentiated tumor morphology, higher tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and no nodal metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the intricate correlations of various histopathological factors in OSCC, shedding light on their potential implications for prognosis.

Recent advancement of nano-biochar for the remediation of heavy metals and emerging contaminants: Mechanism, adsorption kinetic model, plant growth and development.

Even though researches have shown that biochar can improve soil-health and plant-growth even in harsh environments and get rid of harmful heavy metals and new contaminants, it is still not sustainable, affordable, or effective enough. Therefore, scientists are required to develop nanomaterials in order to preserve numerous aquatic and terrestrial species. The carbonaceous chemical known as nano-biochar (N-BC) can be used to get rid of metal contamination and emerging contaminants. However, techniques to reduce hetero-aggregation and agglomeration of nano-biochar are needed that lead to the emergence of emerging nano-biochar (EN-BC) in order to maximise its capacity for adsorption of nano-biochar. To address concerns in regards to the expanding human population and sustain a healthy community, it is imperative to address the problems associated with toxic heavy metals, emerging contaminants, and other abiotic stressors that are threatening agricultural development. Nano-biochar can provide an effective solution for removal of emerging contaminants, toxic heavy metals, and non-degradable substance. This review provides the detailed functional mechanistic and kinetics of nano-biochar, its effectiveness in promoting plant growth, and soil health under abiotic stress. Nonetheless, this review paper has comprehensively illustrated various adsorption study models that will be employed in future research.

Synergistic regulation of hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide on biochemical components, exopolysaccharides, and nitrogen metabolism in nickel stressed rice field cyanobacteria.

The present study examined the regulatory mechanism of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and nitric oxide (NO) in nickel (Ni) stressed cyanobacteria viz., Nostoc muscorum and Anabaena sp. by analyzing growth, photosynthetic pigments, biochemical components (protein and carbohydrate), exopolysaccharides (EPS), inorganic nitrogen content, and activity of enzymes comprised in nitrogen metabolism and Ni accumulation. The 1 µM Ni substantially diminished growth by 18% and 22% in N. muscorum and Anabaena sp. respectively, along with declining the pigment contents (Chl a/Car ratio and phycobiliproteins), and biochemical components. It also exerted negative impacts on inorganic uptake of nitrate and nitrite contents; nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase; and ammonium assimilating enzymes (glutamine synthetase, glutamate synthase, and glutamate dehydrogenase exhibited a reverse trend) activities. Nonetheless, the adverse impact of Ni can be mitigated through the exogenous supplementation of NaHS [sodium hydrosulfide (8 µM); H2S donor] and SNP [sodium nitroprusside (10 µM); NO donor] which showed substantial improvement on growth, pigments, nitrogen metabolism, and EPS layer and noticeably occurred as a consequence of a substantial reduction in Ni accumulation content which minimized the toxicity effects. The accumulation of Ni on both the cyanobacterial cell surface (EPS layer) are confirmed by the SEM-EDX analysis. Further, the addition of NO scavenger (PTIO; 20 µM) and inhibitor of NO (L-NAME; 100 µM); and H2S scavenger (HT; 20 µM) and H2S inhibitor (PAG; 50 µM) reversed the positive responses of H2S and NO and damages were more prominent under Ni stress thereby, suggesting the downstream signaling of H2S on NO-mediated alleviation. Thus, this study concludes the crosstalk mechanism of H2S and NO in the mitigation of Ni-induced toxicity in rice field cyanobacteria.

Investigating the Cognitive Style of Patients With Substance Use Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background The causal attributions we make to the events in our lives reflect our Cognitive Style. The use of substances can be precipitated by stressful life events, and substance use can be a result of maladaptive coping to alleviate negative effects in stressful situations. So, individuals with substance dependence may infer situations differently. The inferences made about the cause of these stressful events can give an understanding of their cognition and can further help in therapeutic interventions. Purpose The present study aims to assess the cognitive style of young patients with substance use disorder. Methods A cross-sectional research design was used and a total of 50 participants were chosen through purposive sampling from the in-patient departments of Psychiatric Hospitals and De-addiction centers. The Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) was used to assess the specific substances used by the patients and the Cognitive Style Questionnaire-Short form (CSQ-SF) was used to assess the negative cognitive style of the patients. Results Results revealed a more negative cognitive style among young patients with Dual Substance Use than patients with Multiple Substance Use, indicating that patients with Substance Use Disorder tend to attribute stressful events to causes like internal (because of self), global (applicable to all domains of life) and stable (consistent), as well as the negative consequences (leading to other bad things) and self-worth implications (something wrong in self).

Green chemistry routed sugar press mud for (2D) ZnO nanostructure fabrication, mineral fortification, and climate-resilient wheat crop productivity.

Nanotechnology appears to be a promising tool to redefine crop nutrition in the coming decades. However, the crucial interactions of nanomaterials with abiotic components of the environment like soil organic matter (SOM) and carbon‒sequestration may hold the key to sustainable crop nutrition, fortification, and climate change. Here, we investigated the use of sugar press mud (PM) mediated ZnO nanosynthesis for soil amendment and nutrient mobilisation under moderately alkaline conditions. The positively charged (+ 7.61 mv) ZnO sheet-like nanoparticles (~ 17 nm) from zinc sulphate at the optimum dose of (75 mg/kg blended with PM (1.4% w/w) were used in reinforcing the soil matrix for wheat growth. The results demonstrated improved agronomic parameters with (~ 24%) and (~ 19%) relative increases in yield and plant Zn content. Also, the soil solution phase interactions of the ZnO nanoparticles with the PM-induced soil colloidal carbon (- 27.9 mv and diameter 0.4864 µm) along with its other components have influenced the soil nutrient dynamics and mineral ecology at large. Interestingly, one such interaction seems to have reversed the known Zn-P interaction from negative to positive. Thus, the study offers a fresh insight into the possible correlations between nutrient interactions and soil carbon sequestration for climate-resilient crop productivity.

Computational exploration of the genomic assignments, molecular structure, and dynamics of the ccdABXn2 toxin-antitoxin homolog with its bacterial target, the DNA gyrase, in the entomopathogen Xenorhabdus nematophila.

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) modules, initially discovered on bacterial plasmids and subsequently identified within chromosomal contexts, hold a pivotal role in the realm of bacterial physiology. Among these, the pioneering TA system, ccd (Control of Cell Death), primarily localized on the F-plasmid, is known for its orchestration of plasmid replication with cellular division. Nonetheless, the precise functions of such systems within bacterial chromosomal settings remain a compelling subject that demands deeper investigation. To bridge this knowledge gap, our study focuses on exploring ccdABXn2, a chromosomally encoded TA module originating from the entomopathogenic bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila. We meticulously delved into the system's genomic assignments, structural attributes, and functional interplay. Our findings uncovered intriguing patterns-CcdB toxin homologs exhibited higher conservation levels compared to their CcdA antitoxin counterparts. Moreover, we constructed secondary as well as tertiary models for both the CcdB toxin and CcdA antitoxin using threading techniques and subsequently validated their structural integrity. Our exploration extended to the identification of key interactions, including the peptide interaction with gyrase for the CcdB homolog and CcdB toxin interactions for the CcdA homolog, highlighting the intricate TA interaction network. Through docking and simulation analyses, we unequivocally demonstrated the inhibition of replication via binding the CcdB toxin to its target, DNA gyrase. These insights provide valuable knowledge about the metabolic and physiological roles of the chromosomally encoded ccdABXn2 TA module within the context of X. nematophila, significantly enhancing our comprehension of its functional significance within the intricate ecosystem of the bacterial host.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.