On population structure and breeding biology of burrowing crab Dotilla blanfordi Alcock, 1900.

Background: The present study investigated the population structure and breeding biology of the burrowing brachyuran crab species Dotilla blanfordi Alcock, 1900, which is commonly found on the sandy beach of Bhavnagar, located on the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat coast, India. Methods: Monthly sampling was conducted from February 2021 to January 2022 at the time of low tide using three line transects perpendicular to the water line, intercepted by a quadrate (0.25 m2) each at three different levels of the middle intertidal region: 20 m, 70 m, and 120 m. The quadrate area was excavated up to 30 cm and sieved for specimen collection. The collected specimens were categorised into different sexes viz., male, non-ovigerous female, or ovigerous female. For the fecundity study of D. blanfordi, the carapace width (mm) as a measure of size as well as their wet weight (g), size, number, and mass of their eggs were also recorded. Results: The study revealed sexual dimorphism among the population, with females having significantly smaller sizes as compared to males. The overall population was skewed towards females, with a bimodal distribution of males and females. The occurrence of ovigerous females throughout the year suggests that the population breeds incessantly throughout the year, with the highest occurrence in August and September. A positive correlation was observed between the morphology of crabs (carapace width and wet body weight) and the size, number, and mass of eggs.

Temperature-dependent heterojunction ternary nanocomposite: Assessing photocatalytic and antibacterial applications.

Heterojunction nanocomposites (ZnO:NiO:CuO) were synthesized via a hydrothermal method and annealed at three different temperatures (400 °C, 600 °C, and 800 °C). The structural, optical, and electrical properties were examined by employing XRD, SEM, UV-Vis, FTIR, and LCR meter techniques to investigate the effects of annealing. Increasing the annealing temperature resulted in the nanocomposites (NCPs) exhibiting enhanced crystallinity, purity, optical properties, and improved electrical and dielectric behavior. The calculated crystalline sizes (Debye-Scherrer method) of the NCPs were determined to be 21, 26 and 34 nm for annealing temperature 400 °C, 600 °C, and 800 °C, respectively. The calculated bandgaps of synthesized samples were found in the range of 2.92-2.55 eV. This temperature-dependent annealing process notably influenced particle size, morphology, band-gap characteristics, and photocatalytic efficiency. EDX analysis affirmed the sample purity, with elemental peaks of Zn, Cu, Ni, and O. These NCPs demonstrated exceptional photocatalytic activity against various dyes solutions (Methyl orange (MO), Methylene Blue (MB), and mixed solution of dyes) under sunlight and also showed good antibacterial properties assessed by the disc diffusion method. Notably, the nanocomposite annealed at 400 °C exhibited a particularly high degradation efficiency by degrading 96% MB and 91% MO in just 90 min under sunlight.

Genome-wide analysis of plant specific YABBY transcription factor gene family in carrot (Dacus carota) and its comparison with Arabidopsis.

YABBY gene family is a plant-specific transcription factor with DNA binding domain involved in various functions i.e. regulation of style, length of flowers, and polarity development of lateral organs in flowering plants. Computational methods were utilized to identify members of the YABBY gene family, with Carrot (Daucus carota) 's genome as a foundational reference. The structure of genes, location of the chromosomes, protein motifs and phylogenetic investigation, syntony and transcriptomic analysis, and miRNA targets were analyzed to unmask the hidden structural and functional characteristics YABBY gene family in Carrots. In the following research, it has been concluded that 11 specific YABBY genes irregularly dispersed on all 9 chromosomes and proteins assembled into five subgroups i.e. AtINO, AtCRC, AtYAB5, AtAFO, and AtYAB2, which were created on the well-known classification of Arabidopsis. The wide ranges of YABBY genes in carrots were dispersed due to segmental duplication, which was detected as prevalent when equated to tandem duplication. Transcriptomic analysis showed that one of the DcYABBY genes was highly expressed during anthocyanin pigmentation in carrot taproots. The cis-regulatory elements (CREs) analysis unveiled elements that particularly respond to light, cell cycle regulation, drought induce ability, ABA hormone, seed, and meristem expression. Furthermore, a relative study among Carrot and Arabidopsis genes of the YABBY family indicated 5 sub-families sharing common characteristics. The comprehensive evaluation of YABBY genes in the genome provides a direction for the cloning and understanding of their functional properties in carrots. Our investigations revealed genome-wide distribution and role of YABBY genes in the carrots with best-fit comparison to Arabidopsis thaliana.

Determination of dose- and time-dependent hepatotoxicity and apoptosis of Lanthanum oxide nanoparticles in female Swiss albino mice.

Nanosized lanthanum oxide particles (La2O3) are commonly utilized in various industries. The potential health risks associated with La2O3 nanoparticles, cytotoxic effects at varying doses and time intervals, and the mechanisms behind their induction of behavioral changes remain uncertain and necessitate further investigation. Therefore, this study examined in vivo hepatotoxicity, considering the quantity (60, 150, and 300 mg/kg) and time-dependent induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) over one week or 21 days. The mice received intraperitoneal injections of three different concentrations in Milli-Q water. Throughout the experiments, no physical changes or weight loss were observed among the groups. However, after 21 days, only the highest concentration showed signs of anxiety in the activity cage (p < 0.05). Subsequently, all animals treated with La2O3 NPs exhibited a significant loss of learning and memory recall using the Active Avoidances test, after 21 days (p < 0.001). Markers for anti-reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly upregulated in response to all concentrations of NPs after seven days compared to the control group. This was confirmed by a significant increase in glutathione peroxidase (Gpx1) and pro-apoptotic Caspase-3 expression at the lowest and highest doses. Additionally, both transcription and protein levels of the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 surpassed P53 protein in a dosage-dependent manner, indicating activation of the primary anti-apoptosis pathway. After 21 days, P53 levels exceeded BCL-2 protein levels, confirming a significant loss of BCL-2 mRNA, particularly at the 300 mg/kg concentration. Furthermore, a higher transcription level of Caspase-3, SOD, and Gpx1 was observed, with the highest values detected at the 300 mg/kg concentration, indicating the activation of cell death. Histopathological analysis of the liver illustrated apoptotic bodies resulting from La2O3 NP concentration. The investigation revealed multiple inflammatory foci, cytoplasmic degeneration, steatosis, and DNA fragmentation consistent with increased damage over time due to higher concentrations. Blood samples were also analyzed to determine liver enzymatic changes, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lipid profiles. The results showed significant differences among all La2O3 NP concentrations, with the most pronounced damage observed at the 300 mg/kg dose even after 21 days. Based on an animal model, this study suggests that La2O3 hepatotoxicity is likely caused by the size and shape of nanoparticles (NPs), following a dose and time-dependent mechanism that induces the production of reactive oxygen species and behavioral changes such as anxiety and memory loss.

Protective role of Pleurotus florida against streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia in rats: A preclinical study.

Pleurotus florida (Mont.) Singer is a mushroom species known to be an antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and diuretic agent, reducing blood pressure and cholesterol. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo potency of P. florida's anti-diabetic properties in rats affected by hyperglycemia induced by Streptozotocin (STZ) at 55 mg/kg (i.p.), characterized by oxidative stress impairment, and changes in insulin levels and lipid profile. After inducing hyperglycemia in the rats, they were treated with P. florida acetone and methanol extracts, orally administered for 28 days at doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight. The hyperglycemic control (DC) group showed significant increases (P < 0.05) in mean blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen, lipid hydroperoxides, and malondialdehyde, compared to the normal control (NC) group The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum insulin, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione disulfide, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, guaiacol peroxidase, and vitamin E and C levels showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in DC group, compared to the NC group. Blood glucose levels, lipid profiles, and insulin levels improved significantly after 28 days of treatment, in the group treated with glibenclamide (an oral hypoglycemic drug, used as positive control), and in the groups treated with P. florida extracts. In DC group, the treatment with P. florida was found to prevent diabetes, according to histopathological studies of the kidneys, pancreas, and liver of rats. In conclusion, this study has shown that the treatment with P. florida decreased oxidative stress and glucose levels in the blood, as well as restoring changes in lipid profiles.

Investigation and optimization of In-Vitro behaviour of Perovskite barium titanate as a scaffold and protective coatings.

The piezoelectric effect is widely known to have a significant physiological function in bone development, remodeling, and fracture repair. As a well-known piezoelectric material, barium titanate is particularly appealing as a scaffold layer to improve bone tissue engineering applications. Currently, the chemical bath deposition method is used to prepare green synthesized barium titanate coatings to improve mechanical and biological characteristics. Molarity of the solutions, an essential parameter in chemical synthesis, is changed at room temperature (0.1-1.2 Molar) to prepare coatings. The XRD spectra for as deposited coatings indicate amorphous behavior, while polycrystalline nature of coatings is observed after annealing (300 °C). Coatings prepared with solutions of relatively low molarities, i.e. from 0.1 to 0.8 M, exhibit mixed tetragonal - cubic phases. However, the tetragonal phase of Perovskite barium titanate is observed using solution molarities of 1.0 M and 1.2 M. Relatively high value of transmission, i.e. ∼80%, is observed for the coatings prepared with high molarities. Band gap of annealed coatings varies between 3.47 and 3.70 eV. For 1.2 M sample, the maximum spontaneous polarization (Ps) is 0.327x10-3 (µC/cm2) and the residual polarization (Pr) is 0.072x10-3 (µC/cm2). For 1.2M solution, a high hardness value (1510 HV) is recorded, with a fracture toughness of 28.80 MPam-1/2. Low values of weight loss, after dipping the coatings in simulated body fluid, is observed. The antibacterial activity of BaTiO3 is tested against E. coli and Bacillus subtilis. Drug encapsulation capability is also tested for different time intervals. As a result, CBD-based coatings are a promising nominee for use as scaffold and protective coatings.

Pentapeptide cRGDfK-Surface Engineered Nanostructured Lipid Carriers as an Efficient Tool for Targeted Delivery of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor for Battling Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Antitumor research aims to efficiently target hepatocarcinoma cells (HCC) for drug delivery. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are promising for active tumour targeting. Cell-penetrating peptides are feasible ligands for targeted cancer treatment. Methods: In this study, we optimized gefitinib-loaded NLCs (GF-NLC) for HCC treatment. The NLCs contained cholesterol, oleic acid, Pluronic F-68, and Phospholipon 90G. The NLC surface was functionalized to enhance targeting with the cRGDfK-pentapeptide, which binds to the αvß3 integrin receptor overexpressed on hepatocarcinoma cells. Results: GF-NLC formulation was thoroughly characterized for various parameters using differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction analysis. In-vitro and in-vivo studies on the HepG2 cell line showed cRGDfK@GF-NLC's superiority over GF-NLC and free gefitinib. cRGDfK@GF-NLC exhibited significantly higher cytotoxicity, growth inhibition, and cellular internalization. Biodistribution studies demonstrated enhanced tumour site accumulation without organ toxicity. The findings highlight cRGDfK@GF-NLC as a highly efficient carrier for targeted drug delivery, surpassing non-functionalized NLCs. These functionalized NLCs offer promising prospects for improving hepatocarcinoma therapy outcomes by specifically targeting HCC cells. Conclusion: Based on these findings, cRGDfK@GF-NLC holds immense potential as a highly efficient carrier for targeted drug delivery of anticancer agents, surpassing the capabilities of non-functionalized NLCs. This research opens up new avenues for effective treatment strategies in hepatocarcinoma.

Phytonanofabrication of iron oxide particles from the Acacia jacquemontii plant and their potential application for the removal of brilliant green and Congo red dye from wastewater.

Phytonanofabrication is one of the most promising areas that has drawn the attention of scientists worldwide due to its eco-friendly nature and biocompatibility. In the current investigation, we reported the phyto-assisted formation of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) from a rare species of Acacia (Acacia jacquemontii). First, ethanolic extracts of the stem powder were analyzed by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) for the identification of phytochemicals in the stem sections of Acacia. Furthermore, IONPs were synthesized by a chemical co-precipitation method by using the stem extract. The phytonanofabricated iron oxide particles were investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) for elemental analysis. HPTLC confirmed the presence of several phenols and terpenoids in the ethanolic extracts of the stem. UV-Vis spectroscopy exhibited an absorbance peak at 380 nm, indicating the formation of IONPs, while FTIR spectroscopy showed the typical bands for Fe-O in the range of 599-1,000 cm-1 in addition to several functional groups of organic molecules at 1,596 cm-1, 2,313 cm-1, and 3,573 cm-1. XRD exhibits the amorphous nature of IONPs with peaks at 30.7, 35.5, and 62.7 nm. The IONPs were spherical-shaped, whose size varies from 10 to 70 nm, as confirmed by FESEM. EDS exhibited the presence of Fe, O, C, and NaCl. Finally, the phytonanofabricated iron oxide particles were utilized for the removal of brilliant green (BG) and Congo red (CR) dye from the aqueous solution. The removal efficiency of BG dye was up to 54.28%, while that of Congo red dye was up to 36.72% in 120 min and 60 min, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of pH and contact time was also assessed on both the dyes, where CR exhibited maximum removal at acidic pH, i.e., 47.5%, while BG showed maximum removal at pH 10, i.e., 76.59%.

Identification and characterization of Glycolate oxidase gene family in garden lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. 'Salinas') and its response under various biotic, abiotic, and developmental stresses.

Glycolate oxidase (GLO) is an FMN-containing enzyme localized in peroxisomes and performs in various molecular and biochemical mechanisms. It is a key player in plant glycolate and glyoxylate accumulation pathways. The role of GLO in disease and stress resistance is well-documented in various plant species. Although studies have been conducted regarding the role of GLO genes from spinach on a microbial level, the direct response of GLO genes to various stresses in short-season and leafy plants like lettuce has not been published yet. The genome of Lactuca sativa cultivar 'Salinas' (v8) was used to identify GLO gene members in lettuce by performing various computational analysis. Dual synteny, protein-protein interactions, and targeted miRNA analyses were conducted to understand the function of GLO genes. The identified GLO genes showed further clustering into two groups i.e., glycolate oxidase (GOX) and hydroxyacid oxidase (HAOX). Genes were observed to be distributed unevenly on three chromosomes, and syntenic analysis revealed that segmental duplication was prevalent. Thus, it might be the main reason for GLO gene diversity in lettuce. Almost all LsGLO genes showed syntenic blocks in respective plant genomes under study. Protein-protein interactions of LsGLO genes revealed various functional enrichments, mainly photorespiration, and lactate oxidation, and among biological processes oxidative photosynthetic carbon pathway was highly significant. Results of in-depth analyses disclosed the interaction of GLO genes with other members of the glycolate pathway and the activity of GLO genes in various organs and developmental stages in lettuce. The extensive genome evaluation of GLO gene family in garden lettuce is believed to be a reference for cloning and studying functional analyses of GLO genes and characterizing other members of glycolate/glyoxylate biosynthesis pathway in various plant species.

Green Lead Nanoparticles Induced Apoptosis and Cytotoxicity in MDA-MB-231 Cells by Inducing Reactive Oxygen Species and Caspase 3/7 Enzymes.

Nanoparticles are widely used in the pharmaceutical, agriculture, and food processing industries. In this study, we have synthesized green lead nanoparticles (gPbNPs) by using an extract of Ziziphus spina-christi leaves and determined their cytotoxic and apoptotic effect on the human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line. gPbNPs were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The toxicity of gPbNPs was determined on the MDA-MB-231 cell line using MTT and NRU assays and as a result cell viability was reduced in a concentration-dependent manner. MDA-MB-231 cells were more sensitive at the highest concentration of gPbNPs exposure. In this experiment, we observed the production of intracellular ROS in cells, and induction of caspase 3/7 was higher in cells at 42 µg/ml of gPbNPs. Moreover, the Bax gene was upregulated and the Bcl-2 gene was downregulated and increased caspase 3/7 activity confirmed the apoptotic effect of gPbNPs in cells. Our observation showed that gPbNPs induced cell toxicity, increased generation of intracellular ROS, and gene expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the MDA-MB-231 cell line. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that gPbNPs executed toxic effects on the MDA-MB-231 cell line through activating caspase 3/7 activity.

Ecotoxicological insights: Effects of pesticides on ionic metabolism regulation in freshwater catfish, Mystus keletius.

Fish maintain their body fluid ionic and osmotic homeostasis using sophisticated iono-/osmoregulation mechanisms through gills ionocytes. Pesticide-induced ionic imbalance in fish has been recognized as a valuable tool to determine its toxic effects. Acute exposure to synthetic and organo-chemical pesticides on the regulation of ionic (Na+, Ca2+, P) metabolism in freshwater catfish Mystus keletius was evaluated. Fish were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations (mg/l) of selected pesticide for a period of 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Results indicated that chemical pesticides - Impala and Ekalux - evoked adverse toxic effects on selected tissues compared to organo-chemical pesticide tested. Statistical analysis of the summative data using two-way ANOVA was significant (p-value<0.001). Variations in the cellular parameters analysed were attributed to the physiological acclimatization of fish to the pesticide exposed. Based on the results it is concluded that organic pesticides may be preferred for rice field application considering safety aspects.

A Comparative Analysis of the Physico-Chemical Properties of Pectin Isolated from the Peels of Seven Different Citrus Fruits.

In the present research work, pectin was isolated from the peels of seven citrus fruits (Citrus limon, Citrus limetta, Citrus sinensis, Citrus maxima, Citrus jambhiri, Citrus sudachi, and Citrus hystrix) for a comparison of its physicochemical parameters and its potential use as a thickening agent, gelling agent, and food ingredient in food industries. Among the seven citrus fruits, the maximum yield of pectin was observed from Citrus sudachi, and the minimum yield of pectin was observed from Citrus maxima. The quality of each pectin sample was compared by using parameters such as equivalent weight, anhydrouronic acid (AUA) content, methoxy content, and degree of esterification. It was observed that all seven pectin samples had a high value of equivalent weight (more than 1000), suggesting that all the pectin samples had a high content of non-esterified galacturonic acid in the molecular chains, which provides viscosity and water binding properties. The methoxy content and degree of esterification of all the pectins was lower than 50%, which suggests that it cannot easily disperse in water and can form gel only in presence of divalent cations. The AUA content of all isolated pectins samples was above 65%, which suggests that the pectin was pure and can be utilized as a food ingredient in domestic foods and food industries. From the FTIR analysis of pectin, it was observed that the bond pattern of Citrus maxima, Citrus jambhiri, and Citrus hystrix was similar. The bond pattern of Citrus limon, Citrus limetta, and Citrus sinensis was similar. However, the bond pattern of Citrus sudachi was different from that of all other citrus fruits. The difference in the bond pattern was due to the hydrophobic nature of pectin purified from Citrus limon, Citrus limetta, Citrus sudachi, and Citrus sinensis and the hydrophilic nature of pectin purified from Citrus maxima, Citrus jambhiri, and Citrus hystrix. Hence, hydrophobic pectin can be utilized in the preparation of hydrogels, nanofibers, food packaging material, polysoaps, drug delivery agents, and microparticulate materials, whereas hydrophilic pectin can be utilized for the preparation of gelling and thickening agents.

Genome-wide identification and in-silico expression analysis of carotenoid cleavage oxygenases gene family in Oryza sativa (rice) in response to abiotic stress.

Rice constitutes a foundational cereal and plays a vital role in the culinary sector. However, the detriments of abiotic stress on rice quality and productivity are noteworthy. Carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCO) hold vital importance as they enable the particular breakdown of carotenoids and significantly contribute towards the growth and response to abiotic stress in rice. Due to the insufficient information regarding rice CCOs and their potential role in abiotic stress, their utilization in stress-resistant genetic breeding remains limited. The current research identified 16 CCO genes within the Oryza sativa japonica group. These OsCCO genes can be bifurcated into three categories based on their conserved sequences: NCEDs (9-Cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenases), CCDs (Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases) and CCD-like (Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases-like). Conserved motifs were found in the OsCCO gene sequence via MEME analysis and multiple sequence alignment. Stress-related cis-elements were detected in the promoter regions of OsCCOs genes, indicating their involvement in stress response. Additionally, the promoters of these genes had various components related to plant light, development, and hormone responsiveness, suggesting they may be responsive to plant hormones and involved in developmental processes. MicroRNAs play a pivotal role in the regulation of these 16 genes, underscoring their significance in rice gene regulation. Transcriptome data analysis suggests a tissue-specific expression pattern for rice CCOs. Only OsNCED6 and OsNCED10 significantly up-regulated during salt stress, as per RNA seq analyses. CCD7 and CCD8 levels were also higher in the CCD group during the inflorescence growth stage. This provides insight into the function of rice CCOs in abiotic stress response and identifies possible genes that could be beneficial for stress-resistant breeding.

Multifunctional electrospun nanofibrous scaffold enriched with alendronate and hydroxyapatite for balancing osteogenic and osteoclast activity to promote bone regeneration.

Electrospun composite nanofiber scaffolds are well known for their bone and tissue regeneration applications. This research is focused on the development of PVP and PVA nanofiber composite scaffolds enriched with hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles and alendronate (ALN) using the electrospinning technique. The developed nanofiber scaffolds were investigated for their physicochemical as well as bone regeneration potential. The results obtained from particle size, zeta potential, SEM and EDX analysis of HA nanoparticles confirmed their successful fabrication. Further, SEM analysis verified nanofiber's diameters within 200-250 nm, while EDX analysis confirmed the successful incorporation of HA and ALN into the scaffolds. XRD and TGA analysis revealed the amorphous and thermally stable nature of the nanofiber composite scaffolds. Contact angle, FTIR analysis, Swelling and biodegradability studies revealed the hydrophilicity, chemical compatibility, suitable water uptake capacity and increased in-vitro degradation making it appropriate for tissue regeneration. The addition of HA into nanofiber scaffolds enhanced the physiochemical properties. Additionally, hemolysis cell viability, cell adhesion and proliferation by SEM as well as confocal microscopy and live/dead assay results demonstrated the non-toxic and biocompatibility behavior of nanofiber scaffolds. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) assays demonstrated osteoblast promotion and osteoclast inhibition, respectively. These findings suggest that developed HA and ALN-loaded PVP/PVA-ALN-HA nanofiber composite scaffolds hold significant promise for bone regeneration applications.

Biomimetic electrospun nanofibrous scaffold for tissue engineering: preparation, optimization by design of experiments (DOE), in-vitro and in-vivo characterization.

Electrospinning is a versatile method for fabrication of précised nanofibrous materials for various biomedical application including tissue engineering and drug delivery. This research is aimed to fabricate the PVP/PVA nanofiber scaffold by novel electrospinning technique and to investigate the impact of process parameters (flow rate, voltage and distance) and polymer concentration/solvent combinations influence on properties of electrospun nanofibers. The in-vitro and in-vivo degradation studies were performed to evaluate the potential of electrospun PVP/PVA as a tissue engineering scaffold. The solvents used for electrospinning of PVP/PVA nanofibers were ethanol and 90% acetic acid, optimized with central composite design via Design Expert software. NF-2 and NF-35 were selected as optimised nanofiber formulation in acetic acid and ethanol, and their characterization showed diameter of 150-400 nm, tensile strength of 18.3 and 13.1 MPa, respectively. XRD data revealed the amorphous nature, and exhibited hydrophilicity (contact angles: 67.89° and 58.31° for NF-2 and NF-35). Swelling and in-vitro degradability studies displayed extended water retention as well as delayed degradation. FTIR analysis confirmed solvent-independent interactions. Additionally, hemolysis and in-vitro cytotoxicity studies revealed the non-toxic nature of fabricated scaffolds on RBCs and L929 fibroblast cells. Subcutaneous rat implantation assessed tissue response, month-long biodegradation, and biocompatibility through histological analysis of surrounding tissue. Due to its excellent biocompatibility, this porous PVP/PVA nanofiber has great potential for biomedical applications.

Fabrication of ternary metal oxide (ZnO:NiO:CuO) nanocomposite heterojunctions for enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial applications.

In this article, ZnO:NiO:CuO nanocomposites (NCPs) were synthesized using a hydrothermal method, with different Zn : Ni : Cu molar ratios (1 : 1 : 1, 2 : 1 : 1, 1 : 2 : 1, and 1 : 1 : 1). The PXRD confirmed the formation of a NCP consisting of ZnO (hexagonal), NiO (cubic), and CuO (monoclinic) structures. The crystallite sizes of NCPs were calculated using Debye Scherrer and Williamson-Hall methods. The calculated crystalline sizes (Scherrer method) of the NCPs were determined to be 21, 27, 23, and 20 nm for the molar ratios 1 : 1 : 1, 2 : 1 : 1, 1 : 2 : 1, and 1 : 1 : 2, respectively. FTIR spectra confirmed the successful formation of heterojunction NCPs via the presence of metal-oxygen bonds. The UV-vis spectroscopy was used to calculate the bandgap of synthesized samples and was found in the range of 2.99-2.17 eV. SEM images showed the mixed morphology of NCPs i.e., irregular spherical and rod-like structures. The dielectric properties, including AC conductivity, dielectric constant, impedance, and dielectric loss parameters were measured using an LCR meter. The DC electrical measurements revealed that NCPs have a high electrical conductivity. All the NCPs were evaluated for the photocatalytic degradation of Methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), and a mixture of both of these dyes. The NCPs with a molar ratio 1 : 1 : 2 (Zn : Ni : Cu) displayed outstanding photocatalytic activity under sunlight, achieving the degradation efficiency of 98% for methylene blue (MB), 92% for methyl orange (MO) and more than 87% in the case of a mixture of dyes within just 90 minutes of illumination. The antibacterial activity results showed the more noxious nature of NCPs against Gram-negative bacteria with a maximum zone of inhibition revealed by the NCPs of molar ratio 1 : 2 : 1 (Zn : Ni : Cu). On the basis of these observations, it can be anticipated that the NCPs can be successfully employed for the purification of contaminated water by the degradation of hazardous organic compounds and in antibacterial ointments.

Evaluation of yield attributes and bioactive phytochemicals of twenty amaranth genotypes of Bengal floodplain.

Twenty vegetable amaranth (VA) genotypes were evaluated to assess the variability, associations, path coefficient, and principal component analysis (PCA) of morpho-chemical traits. The genotypes exhibited adequate antioxidant colorants, phytochemicals, and antiradical capacity with significant variations across genotypes. Genetic parameters revealed selection criteria for the majority of the traits for improving amaranth foliage yield (FY). Based on correlation coefficient, stem weight, stem base diameter, root weight, plant height, and shoot weight for significant development of FY of VA. Observing significant genotypic correlation with high positive direct effects on FY, the path coefficient (PC) of root weight, stem base diameter, stem weight, and shoot weight could contribute to the noteworthy development of FY of VA. The genotypes AA5, AA6, AA8, AA10, AA11, AA19, and AA20 might be selected for high FY, antioxidant colorants, and antiradical phytochemicals to utilize as colorants and antiradical rich superior high yielding cultivars. The first PC accounted for 37.8% of the variances, which implies a larger proportion of variable information explained by PC1. The features that contributed more to PC1 were FY, SW, STW, RW, and PH, whereas Chl b, total Chl, and Chl a contributed to the second PC. This suggests that there are significant genetic differences between amaranths in terms of biochemical and agro-morphological characteristics. The findings of the current work support plant breeders to investigate the genetic potential of the amaranth germplasm, notably in biochemical parameters. High colorants enrich genotypes that can be selected for extracting natural colorants to use in food processing industries.

Development of a physiologically based toxicokinetic model for lead in pregnant women: The role of bone tissue in the maternal and fetal internal exposure.

Epidemiological studies have shown associations between prenatal exposure to lead (Pb) and neurodevelopmental effects in young children. Prenatal exposure is generally characterized by measuring the concentration in the umbilical cord at delivery or in the maternal blood during pregnancy. To assess internal Pb exposure during prenatal life, we developed a pregnancy physiologically based pharmacokinetic (p-PBPK) model that to simulates Pb levels in blood and target tissues in the fetus, especially during critical periods for brain development. An existing Pb PBPK model was adapted to pregnant women and fetuses. Using data from literature, both the additional maternal bone remodeling, that causes Pb release into the blood, and the Pb placental transfers were estimated by Bayesian inference. Additional maternal bone remodeling was estimated to start at 21.6 weeks. Placental transfers were estimated between 4.6 and 283 L.day-1 at delivery with high interindividual variability. Once calibrated, the p-PBPK model was used to simulate fetal exposure to Pb. Internal fetal exposure greatly varies over the pregnancy with two peaks of Pb levels in blood and brain at the end of the 1st and 3rd trimesters. Sensitivity analysis shows that the fetal blood lead levels are affected by the maternal burden of bone Pb via maternal bone remodeling and by fetal bone formation at different pregnancy stages. Coupling the p-PBPK model with an effect model such as an adverse outcome pathway could help to predict the effects on children's neurodevelopment.

GC-MS-Guided Antimicrobial Defense Responsive Secondary Metabolites from the Endophytic Fusarium solani Isolated from Tinospora cordifolia and Their Multifaceted Biological Properties.

Medicinal plants are hosts to an infinite number of microorganisms, commonly referred to as endophytes which are rich in bioactive metabolites yielding favorable biological activities. The endophytes are known to have a profound impact on their host plant by promoting the accumulation of secondary metabolites which are beneficial to humankind. In the present study, the fungal endophyte, Fusarium solani (ABR4) from the medicinal plant Tinospora cordifolia, was assessed for its bioactive secondary metabolites employing fermentation on a solid rice medium. The crude ABR4 fungal extract was sequentially purified using the solvent extraction method and characterized using different spectroscopic and analytical techniques namely TLC, UV spectroscopic analysis, HRESI-MS, FTIR, and GC-MS analysis. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of pyridine, benzoic acid, 4-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]-trimethylsilyl ester, hexadecanoic acid trimethylsilyl ester, and oleic acid trimethylsilyl ester. The cytotoxic ability of ABR4 was evaluated by MTT assay against lung cancer (A549) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines. The compounds did not exhibit significant cytotoxicity against the tested cell lines. The endophytic ABR4 extract was evaluated for its antimicrobial potential against human pathogens (S. aureus, B. cereus, E. coli, S. typhimurium, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans) by recording 47 to 54% inhibition. Taken together, the endophytic fungal strain ABR4 demonstrated a remarkable antimicrobial activity against the tested pathogens. Furthermore, the functional metabolites isolated from the endophytic strain ABR4 reveal its broader usage as antimicrobial agents for newer drug development in the pharmaceutical industry.

Toxicity assessment of heavy metal (Pb) and its bioremediation by potential bacterial isolates.

Lead (Pb) is a non-essential metal with high toxicity, is persistent, is not biodegradable, and has no known biological function. It is responsible for severe health and environmental issues that need appropriate remediation. Therefore, microbes have thrived in a lead-contaminated environment without exhibiting any negative impacts. The present study aimed to examine the toxic effects of lead on animals and the isolation, identification, and characterization of lead-resistant bacterial strains and their biodegradation potential. After oral administration of lead for 4 weeks, mice showed an elevated level of leukocytes and a decrease in TEC, Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH, and MCHC levels. However, a decline in body weight and inflammation and oxidative stress was observed in liver tissues. To remediate toxic heavy metal, lead-resistant bacterial strains were isolated, among which Enterobacter exhibited maximum degradation potential at high lead concentrations. It was identified by molecular basis and after 16S rRNA sequencing, and 99% resemblance was observed with Enterobacter cloacae. FT-IR analysis of the bacteria illustrated the presence of functional groups, including hydroxyl, carboxyl group, sulfide, and amino groups, on the bacterial cell surface involved in the adsorption of lead. Moreover, electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the morphological and physiochemical changes in the bacterial cell after biosorption, indicating the interaction of Cu ions with functional groups. To summarize, the findings show the highly toxic effects of lead on animals and humans and its effective biodegradation by the bacterial strains in the lead-contaminated environment. This biological strategy can be an ideal alternative to remediate heavy metals from contaminated sites to clean up the environment.