Significance of Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the Growth Performance, Haematological Traits, Serum Biochemistry, Faecal and Caeca Microbiota of Broiler Chickens.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to supplement Lactobacillus and yeast in broiler feed by replacing immunomodulators to develop antibiotic free meat and egg production by analyzing broiler performance, haematological traits, serum biochemistry, histopathology, fecal bacterial count, and metagenomic analysis of broiler ceca. METHOD: Two cultures i.e. KGL4 (Limosilactobacillus fermentum MTCC 25515) and WBS2A (Saccharomyces cerevisiae GI: MG101828) were considered for the evaluation of Broiler chicken's health and growth during 42 days study without supplementing immunomodulators and commercial probiotics in poultry feeds. The 96-day-old broiler chickens were grouped into: T1 [Control: basal diet + immunomodulatory factor and commercial probiotic], T2 [Basal diet without immunomodulatory factor and commercial probiotic + KGL4 (108 CFU/mL), T3 [Basal diet without immunomodulatory factor and commercial probiotic + WBS2A (107 CFU/mL), and T4 [Basal diet without immunomodulatory factor and commercial probiotic + KGL4 + WBS2A in a 1:1 ratio] (Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC) No. 365/PRS/2022). The following parameters, i.e., body weight gain, feed consumption ratio (FCR), white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin content, platelet count, cholesterol content, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), fecal counts and metagenomic analysis of broiler ceca samples, were measured. RESULTS: In the study, amongst various traits, the overall performance of the group treated along with Limosilactobacillus fermentum (KGL4) showed improved results as compared to control group. Limosilactobacillus fermentum (KGL4) treated group had higher body weight gain (2583.04 ± 35.421 g), FCR (1.60 ± 0.019), WBC (235.60 ± 2.562 × 103/µL), hemoglobin content (14.10 ± 0.442 g/dl), and HDL (131.40 ± 11.400 mg/dl). The investigation did not show significant variations in the relative proportions of genus or phylum among various groups during metagenomic analysis of ceca samples. There was also an improvement in haematological traits; no evidence of necrosis in heart, intestine and liver tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The present study conclude that it is safe to feed Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to broilers as feed supplements and also supports the current knowledge regarding the use of yeast and lactic acid bacteria as an effective alternative stimulant for maintaining health and growth of broiler chickens.

Chemometric Modelling of Heat Release Capacity, Total Heat Release and Char Formation of Polymers to Assess Their Flammability Characteristics.

The quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) approach has widely been used to predict several physicochemical properties of materials employing the information obtained from their chemical structures (numerical descriptors). In the present work, we have generated three individual QSPR models for three different endpoints for a large number of polymers in order to determine their fire retardant property such as heat release capacity, total heat release, and %Char, using the only two-dimensional descriptors with definite physicochemical meaning. Relevant subsets of descriptors were selected employing a genetic algorithm approach; subsequently, the selected descriptors were utilised for the identification of the best combination of the variables for the model generation, while the final models were developed employing the partial least squares (PLS) regression algorithm. The generated models were rigorously validated using various internationally accepted internal and external validation metrics. All the models showed promising statistical quality in terms of determination coefficient R2 (0.802, 0.842 and 0.826), cross-validated leave-one-out Q2 (0.759, 0.810 and 0.752) and predictive R2pred or Q2ext (0.810, 0.900 and 0.847) for HRC (nTraining =62, nTest =28), THR (nTraining =64, nTest =21) and %char (nTraining =49, nTest =21) datasets, respectively. All the certified models were used for prediction of flammability characteristics of 37 external set compounds, and further, the quality of prediction was determined by using the PRI software tool. The final models of HRC, THR and %Char formation of polymers may be useful to predict the flammability characteristics of polymers quickly before their synthesis and used as a better alternative approach to the experimental testing of flammability of polymers.

In Silico Modeling of Small Molecule Carboxamides as Inhibitors of SARS-CoV 3CL Protease: An Approach Towards Combating COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) approach is most widely used for the prediction of biological activity of potential medicinal compounds. A QSAR model is developed by correlating the information obtained from chemical structures (numerical descriptors/ independent variables) with the experimental response values (the dependent variable). METHODS: In the current study, we have developed a QSAR model to predict the inhibitory activity of small molecule carboxamides against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-- CoV) 3CLpro enzyme. Due to the structural similarity of this enzyme with SARS-CoV-2, the causative organism of the recent pandemic, the former may be used for the development of therapies against coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). RESULTS: The final multiple linear regression (MLR) model was based on four two-dimensional descriptors with definite physicochemical meaning. The model was strictly validated using different internal and external quality metrics. The model showed significant statistical quality in terms of determination coefficient (R2=0.748, adjusted R2 or R2 adj = 0.700), cross-validated leave-one-out Q2 (Q2=0.628) and external predicted variance R2 pred = 0.723. The final validated model was used for the prediction of external set compounds as well as to virtually design a new library of small molecules. We have also performed a docking analysis of the most active and least active compounds present in the dataset for comparative analysis and to explain the features obtained from the 2D-QSAR model. CONCLUSION: The derived model may be useful to predict the inhibitory activity of small molecules within the applicability domain of the model only based on the chemical structure information prior to their synthesis and testing.

First report on chemometric modeling of hydrolysis half-lives of organic chemicals.

Hydrolysis is one of the most important processes of transformation of organic chemicals in water. The rates of reactions, final chemical entities of these processes, and half-lives of organic chemicals are of considerable interest to environmental chemists as well as authorities involved in the controlling the processing and disposal of such organic chemicals. In this study, we have proposed QSPR models for the prediction of hydrolysis half-life of organic chemicals as a function of different pH and temperature conditions using only two-dimensional molecular descriptors with definite physicochemical significance. For each model, suitable subsets of variables were elected using a genetic algorithm method; next, the elected subsets of variables were subjected to the best subset selection with a key objective to determine the best combination of descriptors for model generation. Finally, QSPR models were constructed using the best combination of variables employing the partial least squares (PLS) regression technique. Next, every final model was subjected for strict validation employing the internationally accepted internal and external validation parameters. The proposed models could be applicable for data gap filling to determine hydrolysis half-lives of organic chemicals at different environmental conditions. Generally, presence of aliphatic ether and ether functional groups, high percentage of oxygen content in the molecule and presence of O-Si pairs of atoms at topological distance one, results in a shorter hydrolysis half-life of organic chemicals. On the other hand, higher unsaturation content and high percentage of nitrogen content in molecules lead to higher hydrolysis half-life. It is also found that branched and compact molecules will have a lower half-life while straight chain analogues will have a higher half-life. To the best of our knowledge, the presented models are the first reported QSPR models for hydrolysis half-lives of organic chemicals at different pH values.

Chemometric modeling to predict air half-life of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

We have reported here a quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) model for prediction of air half-life of organic chemicals using a dataset of 302 diverse organic chemicals employing only two-dimensional descriptors with definite physicochemical meaning in order to avoid the computational complexity for higher dimensional molecular descriptors. The developed model was rigorously validated using the internationally accepted internal and external validation metrics. The final partial least squares (PLS) regression model obtained at three latent variables comprises six simple and interpretable 2D descriptors. The simple and highly robust model with good quality of predictions explains 66% for the variance of the training set (R2) (64% in terms of LOO variance (Q2)) and 76% for test set variance (R2pred) (prediction quality). This model might be applicable for data gap filling for determination of POPs in the environment, in case of new or untested chemicals falling within the applicability domain of the model. In general, the model indicates that the air half-life of organic chemicals increases with presence of H-bond acceptor atoms, number of halogen atoms and presence of the R-CH-X fragment and lipophilicity, and decreases with presence of a number of halogens on ring C(sp3) (substitution of halogen atoms on a ring).

QSAR modeling of Daphnia magna and fish toxicities of biocides using 2D descriptors.

In the recent years, ecotoxicological hazard potential of biocidal products has been receiving increasing attention in the industries and regulatory agencies. Biocides/pesticides are currently one of the most studied groups of compounds, and their registration cannot be done without the empirical toxicity information. In view of limited experimental data available for these compounds, we have developed Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) models for the toxicity of biocides to fish and Daphnia magna following principles of QSAR modeling recommended by the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development). The models were developed using simple and interpretable 2D descriptors and validated using stringent tests. Both models showed encouraging statistical quality in terms of determination coefficient R2 (0.800 and 0.648), cross-validated leave-one-out Q2 (0.760 and 0.602) and predictive R2pred or Q2ext (0.875 and 0.817) for fish (nTraining = 66, nTest = 22) and Daphnia magna (nTraining = 100, nTest = 33) toxicity datasets, respectively. These models should be applicable for data gap filling in case of new or untested biocidal compounds falling within the applicability domain of the models. In general, the models indicate that the toxicity increases with lipophilicity and decreases with polarity, branching and unsaturation. We have also developed interspecies toxicity models for biocides using the daphnia and fish toxicity data and used the models for data gap filling.

Chemometric modeling of Daphnia magna toxicity of agrochemicals.

Over the past few years, the ecotoxicological hazard potential of agrochemicals has received much attention in the industries and regulatory agencies. In the current work, we have developed quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models for Daphnia magna toxicities of different classes of agrochemicals (fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and microbiocides) individually as well as for the combined set with the application of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recommended guidelines. The models for the individual data sets as well as for the combined set were generated employing only simple and interpretable two-dimensional descriptors, and subsequently strictly validated using test set compounds. The validated individual models were used to generate consensus models, with the objective to improve the prediction quality and reduced prediction errors. All the individual models of different classes of agrochemicals as well as the global set of agrochemicals showed encouraging statistical quality and prediction ability. The general observations from the derived models suggest that the toxicity increases with lipophilicity and decreases with polarity. The generated models of different classes of agrochemicals and also for the combined set should be applicable for data gap filling for new or untested agrochemical compounds falling within the applicability domain of the developed models.

Current approaches for choosing feature selection and learning algorithms in quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR).

INTRODUCTION: Quantitative structure-activity/property relationships (QSAR/QSPR) are statistical models which quantitatively correlate quantitative chemical structure information (described as molecular descriptors) to the response end points (biological activity, property, toxicity, etc.). Important strategies for QSAR model development and validation include dataset curation, variable selection, and dataset division, selection of modeling algorithms and appropriate measures of model validation. Areas covered: Different feature selection methods and various linear and nonlinear learning algorithms are employed to address the complexity of data sets for selection of appropriate features important for the responses being modeled, to reduce overfitting of the models, and to derive interpretable models. This review provides an overview of various feature selection methods as well as different statistical learning algorithms for QSAR modeling at an elementary level for nonexpert readers. Expert opinion: Novel sets of descriptors are being continuously introduced to this field; therefore, to handle this issue, there is a need to improve new tools for feature selection, which can lead to development of statistically meaningful models, usable by nonexperts in the fields. While handling data sets of limited size, special techniques like double cross-validation and consensus modeling might be more meaningful in order to remove the possibility of bias in descriptor selection.

QSPR Modeling of the Refractive Index for Diverse Polymers Using 2D Descriptors.

In the present work, predictive quantitative structure-property relationship models have been developed to predict refractive indices (RIs) of a set of 221 diverse organic polymers using theoretical two-dimensional descriptors generated on the basis of the structures of polymers' monomer units. Four models have been developed by applying partial least squares (PLS) regression with a different combination of six descriptors obtained via double cross-validation approaches. The predictive ability and robustness of the proposed models were checked using multiple validation strategies. Subsequently, the validated models were used for the generation of "intelligent" consensus models (http://teqip.jdvu.ac.in/QSAR_Tools/DTCLab/) to improve the quality of predictions for the external data set. The selected consensus models were used for the prediction of refractive index values of various classes of polymers. The final selected model was used to predict the refractive index of four small virtual libraries of monomers recently reported. We also used a true external data set of 98 diverse monomer units with the experimental RI values of the corresponding polymers. The obtained models showed a good predictive ability as evidenced from a very good external predicted variance.

Effect of micronutrient supplementation around calving on the plasma cortisol levels of Murrah buffaloes and Sahiwal and Karan Fries cows.

Micronutrients when fed around peripartum may reduce the stress induced by cortisol. With this objective, 24 Sahiwal (SW) and 24 Karan Fries (KF) cows and 24 Murrah (Mu) buffaloes were taken and divided into four groups of six each. Vitamin E (VE), zinc (Zn) and copper were supplemented from 30 days pre- to 30 days postcalving in groups 1, 2 and 3. Animals without supplementation served as control. Blood sampling was done on days 30, 15, 7 and 3 precalving; at calving; and on days 3, 7, 15 and 30 postcalving. Plasma cortisol levels were measured by ELISA. Supplementation of VE and Zn significantly (P<0.05) reduced plasma cortisol levels at calving and at 30 days postcalving. KF cows exhibited best results with VE, whereas SW cows and Mu buffaloes responded best to Zn. Copper increased the peripartum cortisol levels. Reduction in cortisol levels may help in keeping the animal healthy and stronger to fight immuno-suppression generally observed around the period of peripartum.