Recent Advancements in Novel Sensing Systems through Nanoarchitectonics.

The fabrication of various sensing devices and the ability to harmonize materials for a higher degree of organization is essential for effective sensing systems. Materials with hierarchically micro- and mesopore structures can enhance the sensitivity of sensors. Nanoarchitectonics allows for atomic/molecular level manipulations that create a higher area-to-volume ratio in nanoscale hierarchical structures for use in ideal sensing applications. Nanoarchitectonics also provides ample opportunities to fabricate materials by tuning pore size, increasing surface area, trapping molecules via host-guest interactions, and other mechanisms. Material characteristics and shape significantly enhance sensing capabilities via intramolecular interactions, molecular recognition, and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). This review highlights the latest advancements in nanoarchitectonics approaches to tailor materials for various sensing applications, including biological micro/macro molecules, volatile organic compounds (VOC), microscopic recognition, and the selective discrimination of microparticles. Furthermore, different sensing devices that utilize the nanoarchitectonics concept to achieve atomic-molecular level discrimination are also discussed.

Biological Activities of Selenium Nanoparticles Synthesized from Camellia sinensis (L) Kuntze Leaves.

Selenium in the form of selenoproteins is formed through a unique translocation recoding pathway and plays a vital role in human metabolism. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) when synthesized using green synthesis from plant extract offer more advantages than physical and chemical methods. Previous studies have synthesized selenium nanoparticles from green tea and white tea; here, we report the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles from Camillia sinensis (L) Kuntze leaves (black tea) by green synthesis. Moreover, we have tested the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the plant extract, SeNPs, and combination of plant extract and SeNPs which have not been previously studied. The antimicrobial efficacy of SeNPs was tested against Klebsiella pneumonia, Candida albicans, and Staphylococcus aureus. They showed inhibitory effects against these organisms individually and in combination with Camellia sinensis leaf extract. The antioxidant properties of SeNPs were checked using FRAP and DPPH assays, where high radical scavenging activity was exhibited by SeNPs and in combination with the plant extract. Furthermore, synthesized SeNPs were examined for cytotoxicity tolerance against Vero cells and their IC50 values determine that plant-mediated SeNPs showed high cytotoxicity at minimal concentrations. If explored further, the reducing, capping, and stabilizing capabilities of SeNPs may demonstrate other inhibitory effects and could be explored for understanding the role of selenium in cellular metabolism.

Experimental infection of Enterocytozoon hepatopanaei parasite (EHP) of penaeid shrimp in Indian marine crabs.

Enterocytozoon hepatopanaei parasite (EHP) is identified as an emerging pathogenic microsporidium parasite in shrimp culture industry. Though the etiology, disease pattern and sustainability of shrimp are well known, significantly less research has been carried out about the disease transmission and symptoms of infected aquatic animals. The present study aims is to determine the disease carrier status of five different species of Indian marine crabs (Scylla olivacea, Scylla serrata, Portunus pelagicus, Ocypode quadrata and Portunus sanquinolentus) using EHP. At the first instance, oral infection and intramuscular injection were performed to determine the susceptibility of the parasite at 50 days post-infection and it was observed that there was no mortality. The experimental infected crabs were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, bioassay and histopathology. The crabs were EHP-PCR positive at 5th day post-infection (d.p.i) in gills, heart, hepatopancreas, haemolymph and muscle tissue. However, after 5th d.p.i EHP was PCR negative in all the tissue samples. There were no mortalities and histological changes in the negative group and experimental group. Therefore, marine crabs are found to be not suitable hosts for replicating EHP spores but crabs fecal matters are PCR positive till 5th d.p.i. Therefore, marine crabs are having the possibilities of acceptance as a vector for Enterocytozoon hepatopanaei in shrimp. Shrimp farmers need to take necessary action to control this deadly infection in shrimp ponds.

Anti-adipogenic ß-sitosterol and lupeol from Moringa oleifera suppress adipocyte differentiation through regulation of cell cycle progression.

Triterpenes and phytosterols enriched herbal formulations are known for glucose regulation and lipid metabolism. In this study, triterpenes and phytosterols from Moringa oleifera stem bark have been tested for their role in adipocyte differentiation. Chromatographic analysis revealed a wide range of phenolics, highlighting the presence of flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, and rutin), terpenoids (lupeol), and phytosterol (stigmasterol, ß-sitosterol). Lupeol and ß-sitosterol reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner showcasing increased G1 phase cell accumulation while reducing other cell cycle phases (S and G2 /M) and significant lowering of intracellular lipid accumulation. Additionally, lupeol (35.37% at 32 µM) and ß-sitosterol (42.97% at 16 µM) inhibited reactive oxygen species generation and increased glucose uptake in adipocytes. Collectively, our results indicate that lupeol and ß-sitosterol efficaciously attenuated adipogenesis via a controlled cell cycle progression and enhanced glucose uptake in adipocytes. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Active components of Moringa oleifera effectively regulate adipocyte differentation suggest that it can be good medicial supllement for control of obesity.

Risk assessment of potential toxicity induced by bio and synthetic plastic microspheres in Lates calcarifer.

Plastic pollution is a serious issue in the aquatic environments. This concerning issue of negative impacts of synthetic plastic debris particles in the aquatic ecosystem give rise to the bioplastic materials. These bioplastics are synthesized from biological organisms, retaining same structural and functional ability as synthetic plastics. However, their degradability and toxicity in natural environment is still unknown. So, in this study we have focused on to elucidate the toxicity caused by Bacillus subtilis synthesized biopolymer - polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) microspheres and compare their effects with synthetic plastic. The effect of Synthetic plastic (Polystyrene microspheres) and bioplastic (PHB microspheres) were studied on acute exposure to in-vitro and in-vivo model of Lates calcarifer. PHB microspheres were characterized and confirmed using Flurospectrophotometer, Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Particle size analyzer (PSA), Zeta potential and Scanning electron Microscope (SEM). Histopathology assessment for in-vivo model and MTT assay for in-vitro model were performed. The results of fish exposed to 0.5 µg/ml and 1 µg/ml of both microspheres have shown significant necrosis and alteration in muscle, gill and heart tissues. The increased cytotoxicity observed in spleen cell line of Lates calcarifer on exposure to 0.5 µg and 1 µg of both microspheres. Bioplastics are needs specific times for degradation into the aquatic environment. In these results suggest, that even bioplastic have the risk of inducing toxicity similar to the synthetic plastic.