Microbial innovations in chromium remediation: mechanistic insights and diverse applications.

The ubiquity of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from industrial activities poses a critical environmental threat due to its persistence, toxicity and mutagenic potential. Traditional physico-chemical methods for its removal often entail significant environmental drawbacks. Recent advancements in remediation strategies have emphasized nano and bioremediation techniques as promising avenues for cost-effective and efficient Cr(VI) mitigation. Bioremediation harnesses the capabilities of biological agents like microorganisms, and algae to mitigate heavy metal contamination, while nano-remediation employs nanoparticles for adsorption purposes. Various microorganisms, including E. coli, Byssochlamys sp., Pannonibacter phragmitetus, Bacillus, Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Fusarium, and Chlorella utilize bioreduction, biotransformation, biosorption and bioaccumulation mechanisms to convert Cr(VI) to Cr(III). Their adaptability to different environments and integration with nanomaterials enhance microbial activity, offering eco-friendly solutions. The study provides a brief overview of metabolic pathways involved in Cr(VI) bioreduction facilitated by diverse microbial species. Nitroreductase and chromate reductase enzymes play key roles in nitrogen and chromium removal, with nitroreductase requiring nitrate and NADPH/NADH, while the chromium reductase pathway relies solely on NADPH/NADH. This review investigates the various anthropogenic activities contributing to Cr(VI) emissions and evaluates the efficacy of conventional, nano-remediation, and bioremediation approaches in curbing Cr(VI) concentrations. Additionally, it scrutinizes the mechanisms underlying nano-remediation techniques for a deeper understanding of the remediation process. It identifies research gaps and offers insights into future directions aimed at enhancing the real-time applicability of bioremediation methods for mitigating with Cr(VI) pollution and pave the way for sustainable remediation solutions.

Advancing prostate cancer detection: a comparative analysis of PCLDA-SVM and PCLDA-KNN classifiers for enhanced diagnostic accuracy.

This investigation aimed to assess the effectiveness of different classification models in diagnosing prostate cancer using a screening dataset obtained from the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Data Access System. The dataset was first reduced using the PCLDA method, which combines Principal Component Analysis and Linear Discriminant Analysis. Two classifiers, Support Vector Machine (SVM) and k-Nearest Neighbour (KNN), were then applied to compare their performance. The results showed that the PCLDA-SVM model achieved an impressive accuracy rate of 97.99%, with a precision of 0.92, sensitivity of 92.83%, specificity of 97.65%, and F1 score of 0.93. Additionally, it demonstrated a low error rate of 0.016 and a Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC) and Kappa coefficient of 0.946. On the other hand, the PCLDA-KNN model also performed well, achieving an accuracy of 97.8%, precision of 0.93, sensitivity of 93.39%, specificity of 97.86%, an F1 score of 0.92, a high MCC and Kappa coefficient of 0.98, and an error rate of 0.006. In conclusion, the PCLDA-SVM method exhibited improved efficacy in diagnosing prostate cancer compared to the PCLDA-KNN model. Both models, however, showed promising results, suggesting the potential of these classifiers in prostate cancer diagnosis.

Acoustic Analysis of Voice in Laryngopharyngeal Cancers Pre and Post Radiotherapy.

Laryngopharyngeal cancers are one of the most commonly diagnosed head and neck malignancies frequently presenting primarily with change in voice. Radiotherapy being the main modality of treatment for early cancers continues to affect voice. Hence, acoustic analysis of the voice offers quantifiable values of several parameters delineating the obvious effect of the therapy. A total number of 60 patients, diagnosed with laryngopharyngeal cancers undergoing radiotherapy underwent acoustic voice assessment using Dr. speech software pre-treatment and at 1 and 3 months post radiotherapy. Data analysis was done using Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon signed rank test and a significant p value was obtained. The results of the study showed fundamental frequency (F0) and noise to harmonic ratio (NHR) to be the most affected in comparison to Jitter and Shimmer. The F0 and NHR values across baseline evaluation, first month and third month follow up showed a steady deterioration which was significant. The deterioration noted from the first to third month was not statistically significant. Across genders both F0 and NHR deterioration is more in males than in females. Radiotherapy causes definitive alterations in some acoustic measures of voice, which make the voice disharmonic and hoarse with contribution of harshness and breathiness. The effect is more pronounced on vocal parameters that are structure and projection based as evidenced by deterioration in values noted in F0 and NHR. Persistent deteriorated acoustic parameters for a longer duration of time are more likely which emphasizes the need for early voice rehabilitation.

Consequences of Arsenic Contamination on Plants and Mycoremediation-Mediated Arsenic Stress Tolerance for Sustainable Agriculture.

Arsenic contamination in water and soil is becoming a severe problem. It is toxic to the environment and human health. It is usually found in small quantities in rock, soil, air, and water which increase due to natural and anthropogenic activities. Arsenic exposure leads to several diseases such as vascular disease, including stroke, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease, and also increases the risk of liver, lungs, kidneys, and bladder tumors. Arsenic leads to oxidative stress that causes an imbalance in the redox system. Mycoremediation approaches can potentially reduce the As level near the contaminated sites and are procuring popularity as being eco-friendly and cost-effective. Many fungi have specific metal-binding metallothionein proteins, which are used for immobilizing the As concentration from the soil, thereby removing the accumulated As in crops. Some fungi also have other mechanisms to reduce the As contamination, such as biosynthesis of glutathione, cell surface precipitation, bioaugmentation, biostimulation, biosorption, bioaccumulation, biovolatilization, methylation, and chelation of As. Arsenic-resistant fungi and recombinant yeast have a significant potential for better elimination of As from contaminated areas. This review discusses the relationship between As exposure, oxidative stress, and signaling pathways. We also explain how to overcome the detrimental effects of As contamination through mycoremediation, unraveling the mechanism of As-induced toxicity.

Lamotrigine loaded PLGA nanoparticles intended for direct nose to brain delivery in epilepsy: pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and scintigraphy study.

The present study aimed to investigate the brain targeting efficacy of Lamotrigine (LTG) loaded PLGA nanoparticles (LTG-PNPs) upon intranasal administration. LTG-PNPs were fabricated through the emulsification-solvent evaporation technique and evaluated for % Entrapment efficiency, particle size, in-vitro release, surface morphology, crystallinity, ex-vivo permeation & thermal behaviour. Biodistribution, gamma scintigraphy, and pharmacodynamic studies were performed in BALB/c mice, New Zealand rabbits, and Wistar rats respectively. LTG-PNPs exhibited % EE 71%; particle size 170.0 nm; Polydispersity index 0.191; zeta potential -16.60 mV. LTG-PNPs exhibited a biphasic release pattern. Biodistribution and gamma scintigraphy studies proved a greater amount of LTG in the brain following intranasal delivery of LTG-PNPs in comparison to LTG-SOL. Pharmacodynamic studies demonstrated delayed seizure onset time with LTG-PNPs in comparison to LTG-SOL. Intranasal administration of LTG-PNPs provided prolonged release, higher bioavailability, and better brain targeting bypassing the BBB. The developed formulation could be administered as a once-a-day formulation that would reduce the dosing frequency; dose; dose-related side effects; cost of the therapy and would be beneficial in the management of epilepsy as compared to the LTG-SOL. However, the proof of concept generated through these studies needs to be further validated in higher animals and human volunteers.

Application of four novel fungal strains to remove arsenic from contaminated water in batch and column modes.

Immobilized biomass of novel indigenous fungal strains FNBR_3, FNBR_6, FNBR_13, and FNBR_19 were evaluated for arsenic (As) removal from aqueous solution. Alginate beads containing 0.1 g biomass were used in a batch experiment (200 mg l-1 As; pH 6). Biosorption equilibrium established in first 2 h with As adsorption (mg g-1) as 70, 68, 113 and 90 by FNBR_3, FNBR_6, FNBR_13 and FNBR_19, respectively. The equilibrium was fitted to the Langmuir model (r2 = 0. 90-0.97). The absorption kinetic followed the pseudo second order. Changes in the surface of fungal cells and intracellular As-uptake by fungal biomass were also confirmed by scanning electron microscopy combined with X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer. The presence of different functional groups on fungal cells capable of As-binding was investigated by FTIR. The As-removal by immobilized fungal beads tested in the packed columns also. The As-adsorption by biomass (qe as mg g-1) were recorded as 59.5 (FNBR_3 and FNBR_6), 74.8 (FNBR_13), and 66.3 (FNBR_19) in the column and validated by Thomas model. This is the first report concerning the arsenic removal by immobilized biomass of these novel fungal strains from aqueous solution both in batch and column studies with a prospect of their further industrial application.