Comparative analysis of Streptococcus agalactiae serotypes Ia and II isolates from China and Pakistan in a murine model: A focus on pathogenesis and immune response.

Bovine mastitis, caused by Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus; GBS), poses significant economic challenges to the global dairy industry. Mouse models serves as valuable tools for assessing GBS-induced infections as an alternative to large animals. This study aimed to investigate the LD50 dose, organ bacterial load, and quantification of peritoneal leukocyte populations for GBS serotypes Ia and II isolates from China and Pakistan. Additionally, we measured indicators such as lactoferrin, albumin, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-2) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-ß) in serum and tissue samples were evaluated using ELISA and qPCR, respectively. BALB/c mice (4 mice per group) received individual intraperitoneal injections of 100 µl containing specific bacterial inoculum concentrations (ranging from 105 to 109 CFU per mouse) of Chinese and Pakistani GBS isolates (serotypes Ia and II). Control groups received 100 µL of sterile PBS. Results revealed that the LD50 bacterial dose causing 50 % mortality in mice was 107 CFU. The highest bacterial load in all experimental groups was quantified in the peritoneum, followed by blood, mammary gland, liver, spleen, lungs, and brain. The most significant bacterial dissemination was observed in mice inoculated with Pakistani serotype Ia at 24 h, with a subsequent notable decline in bacterial counts at day 3. Notably, infection with Pakistani serotype Ia showed a trend of increased total leukocyte counts, significantly higher than Pakistani serotype II, Chinese Serotype Ia, and Chinese serotype II. A substantial influx of neutrophils and lymphocytes was observed in response to all tested serotypes, with Pakistani serotype Ia inducing a significantly higher influx compared to other groups (Pakistani serotype II, Chinese serotype Ia, and Chinese serotype II). Furthermore, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-2, and IL-6 expressions were significantly increased in mice one day after infection with the Pakistani serotype Ia. Compared to mice infected with the Pakistani serotype II, Chinese Serotype Ia, and Chinese serotype II, those infected with the Pakistani serotype Ia isolate exhibited the highest production of IL-10 and TGF-ß, along with significantly increased concentrations of lactoferrin, albumin, and MPO. These findings suggest that the persistence and severity of infection caused by the Pakistani serotype Ia may be linked to its ability to spread to deeper tissues. This study enhances our understanding of the clinical characteristics of bovine mastitis caused by S. agalactiae in China and Pakistan.

Amine-Decorated Methacrylic Acid-based Inverse Vulcanized Polysulfide for Effective Mercury Removal from Wastewater.

Mercury [Hg(II)] contamination is an indefatigable global hazard that causes severe permanent damage to human health. Extensive research has been carried out to produce mercury adsorbents; however, they still face certain challenges, limiting their upscaling. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel amine-impregnated inverse vulcanized copolymer for effective mercury removal. Poly(S-MA) was prepared using sulfur and methacrylic acid employing the inverse vulcanization method, followed by functionalization. The polyethylenimine (PEI) was impregnated on poly(S-MA) to increase the adsorption active sites. The adsorbent was then characterized byusing Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the formation of the copolymer, and successful impregnation of PEI and SEM revealed the composite porous morphology of the copolymer. Amine-impregnated copolymer [amine@poly(S-MA)] outperformed poly(S-MA) in mercury as it showed 20% superior performance with 44.7 mg/g of mercury adsorption capacity. The adsorption data best fit the pseudo-second-order, indicating that chemisorption is the most effective mechanism, in this case, indicating the involvement of NH2 in mercury removal. The adsorption is mainly a monolayer on a homogeneous surface as indicated by the 0.76 value of Redlich-Peterson exponent (g), which describes the adsorption nature advent from the R2 value of 0.99.

Synthesis and performance evaluation of slow-release fertilizers produced from inverse vulcanized copolymers obtained from industrial waste.

To improve crop nutrient uptake efficacy (NUE) and better manage fertilization, slow-release fertilizers (SRFs) are developed by either coating the urea granules or making a composite. Several materials have already been developed, nevertheless, scalability of those materials is still a challenge due to their inherit drawbacks (such as hydrophilicity, crystallinity, non-biodegradability, etc.). Herein, we utilized a biodegradable, green and sustainable copolymer produced from industrial waste (sulfur-petroleum industry waste and myrcene-citrus industry waste) to coat the urea using a facile coating method to develop novel SRFs and achieve better agronomic and environmental advantages. The copolymer was first synthesized using a facile, solvent-free one-pot method called inverse vulcanization followed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis to confirm the successful reaction between myrcene and sulfur subsequently coating the copolymer on urea granule. The morphology and coating thickness of coated fertilizers were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), followed by a nitrogen release test in distilled water and a soil burial test to confirm the biodegradability. The nitrogen release test revealed that the SRF with the maximum coating thickness of 1733 µm releases only 16% of its total nitrogen after 4 days of incubation compared to the pristine urea which releases all its nutrient within 1 day. The soil burial test confirms the biodegradability of the copolymer, as after 50 days of incubation in soil the copolymer loses almost 18.25% of its total weight indicating that the copolymer is degrading.

Facile green synthesis, analysis, in vitro antidiabetic and antimicrobial activity of ZnO macropores.

Rapid increase in population and development in industry causes many problems such as microbial contaminations and chronic diseases such as diabetes. Materials synthesized at nanoscale are novel antidiabetic and antimicrobial agents. ZnO nanoparticles with macropores characteristics are synthesized by green methods. Turmeric, clove buds and green tea extracts are used as additives. X-ray diffraction results confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO nanoparticles and crystallinity was quit high in case of green tea extract. Sample synthesized with clove shows relatively higher crystallite size (10.64) which is pertaining to variation in Zn2+ and OH- ions. The nanoparticles are more or less spherical in nature, macropores and clustered together revealed by SEM images. Macroporosity of the sample was further confirmed by nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm. The deep absorption band at 605 cm-1 in FTIR spectra attributed the wurtzite-type ZnO. The major dominating sharp peak was detected at 437 cm-1 in Raman spectra which is a feature of the wurtzite hexagonal phase ZnO. UV-Vis spectra showed red shift from wavelength 362 to 375 nm with different plant extracts. Impedance analysis showed a high dielectric constant and low tangent loss in case of green tea extract. ZnO synthesized using green tea exhibited ~ 95% α-glucosidase inhibition activity and 91% α-amylase inhibition activity. Antibacterial results revealed that synthesized ZnO nanoparticles showed activity against Bacillus subtilis and E. coli with inhibition zone 35 mm and 29 mm, respectively.