Amplification of Cardioprotective Response of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning in Rats by Quercetin: Potential Role of Activation of mTOR-dependent Autophagy and Nrf2.

OBJECTIVES: Noninvasive remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is a practical, acceptable, and feasible conditioning technique reported to provide cardioprotection in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). It has been well-reported that quercetin possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigates the modification of the cardioprotective response of RIPC by quercetin. METHODS: Adult Wistar rats were randomized into 12 groups of six animals each. MIRI was induced by subjecting the isolated hearts of Wistar rats to global ischemia for 30 min, succeeded by reperfusion of 120 min after mounting on the Langendorff PowerLab apparatus. Hind limb RIPC was applied in four alternate cycles of ischemia and reperfusion of 5 min each by tying the pressure cuff before isolation of hearts. RESULTS: MIRI was reflected by significantly increased infarct size, LDH-1, and CK-MB, TNF-α, TBARS, and decreased GSH, catalase, and hemodynamic index, and modulated Nrf2. Pretreatment of quercetin (25 and 50 mg/kg; i.p.) significantly attenuated the MIRI-induced cardiac damage and potentiated the cardioprotective response of RIPC at the low dose. Pretreatment of ketamine (10 mg/kg; i.p.), an mTOR-dependent autophagy inhibitor, significantly abolished the cardioprotective effects of quercetin and RIPC. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the modification of the cardioprotective effect of RIPC by quercetin and that quercetin protects the heart against MIRI through multiple mechanisms, including mTOR-dependent activation of autophagy and Nrf-2 activation.

Cultured meat - a patentometric analysis.

Cultured meat (CM) has emerged as a breakthrough technology, which has the potential to minimise future negative impacts associated with the rapidly growing world population; such as serious environmental, sustainability, global public health, and animal welfare concerns. Recently numerous researchers in academia and companies have been putting significant efforts into scientific and translational development in this field. Since various pillars of CM manufacturing hold substantial translational potential, there has been a steady interest in filing patent applications globally in the past decade. For the first time, we have performed a patentometric analysis for cultured meat by highlighting the current patents landscape, determining prolific organisations and geographical locations active in the area, and identifying the overall outlook for the field. In total, > 190 patents published in the English language were collected from 1997 to 2020 for the analysis. Relevant data were extracted from the patents, including technology focus, country of origin, assignees, priority date, cooperative patent classification (CPC) code, to analyse the current patent landscape.

Quick insights into whisky - investigating rapid and efficient methods for sensory evaluation and chemical analysis.

The evaluation of aroma properties of beverages, both analytically as well as with human sensory studies, is a challenging task and most often related to time- and cost-intensive analyses. Whisky is a spirit offering a wide variety of aroma impressions caused by a complex mixture of aroma active compounds. In the present study, methods for the efficient evaluation of aroma characteristics are evaluated for 16 whisky samples of different origins (Scotch and American). Rate all that apply (RATA) was applied as a rapid method for the sensory evaluation of whiskies. Sensory evaluation of the samples led to the determination of eight significant aroma attributes: caramel-/cream caramel-/toffee-like, vanilla-like, (canned) peach-like, phenolic, smoky, fruity, flowery and (fermented) apple-/cider-like. Chemical analysis was conducted by stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in combination with an in-house data processing tool for semi-automated analyte detection. Through chemical analysis of the whisky samples and automated compound detection, we report over 200 mostly aroma-active volatiles. To test both approaches for their potential for sample classification, a simple classification problem (Scotch vs. American) was applied. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) indicates both that sensory evaluation by RATA (97.86%) and the applied analytical procedure (96.94%) are suitable for the distinction between the two whisky types. In both approaches, potential markers were determined for the classification. These investigations build a solid foundation for the implementation of a versatile platform facilitating rapid and efficient aroma evaluation in various foodstuffs and beverages.

Nanoparticle-Shielded dsRNA Delivery for Enhancing RNAi Efficiency in Cotton Spotted Bollworm Earias vittella (Lepidoptera: Nolidae).

The spotted bollworm Earias vittella (Lepidoptera: Nolidae) is a polyphagous pest with enormous economic significance, primarily affecting cotton and okra. However, the lack of gene sequence information on this pest has a significant constraint on molecular investigations and the formulation of superior pest management strategies. An RNA-seq-based transcriptome study was conducted to alleviate such limitations, and de novo assembly was performed to obtain transcript sequences of this pest. Reference gene identification across E. vittella developmental stages and RNAi treatments were conducted using its sequence information, which resulted in identifying transcription elongation factor (TEF), V-type proton ATPase (V-ATPase), and Glyceraldehyde -3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as the most suitable reference genes for normalization in RT-qPCR-based gene expression studies. The present study also identified important developmental, RNAi pathway, and RNAi target genes and performed life-stage developmental expression analysis using RT-qPCR to select the optimal targets for RNAi. We found that naked dsRNA degradation in the E. vittella hemolymph is the primary reason for poor RNAi. A total of six genes including Juvenile hormone methyl transferase (JHAMT), Chitin synthase (CHS), Aminopeptidase (AMN), Cadherin (CAD), Alpha-amylase (AMY), and V-type proton ATPase (V-ATPase) were selected and knocked down significantly with three different nanoparticles encapsulated dsRNA conjugates, i.e., Chitosan-dsRNA, carbon quantum dots-dsRNA (CQD-dsRNA), and Lipofectamine-dsRNA conjugate. These results demonstrate that feeding nanoparticle-shielded dsRNA silences target genes and suggests that nanoparticle-based RNAi can efficiently manage this pest.

Scaffolds for the manufacture of cultured meat.

The cultured meat market has been growing at an accelerated space since the first creation of cultured meat burger back in 2013. Substantial efforts have been made to reduce costs by eliminating serum in growth media and improving process efficiency by employing bioreactors. In parallel, efforts are also being made on scaffolding innovations to offer better cells proliferation, differentiation and tissue development. So far, scaffolds used in cultured meat research are predominantly collagen and gelatin, which are animal-derived. To align with cell-based meat vision i.e. environment conservation and animal welfare, plant-derived biomaterials for scaffolding are being intensively explored. This paper reviews and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of scaffold materials and potential scaffolding related to scale-up solution for the production of cultured meat.

Novel application of intravascular lithotripsy in stent under-expansion: A single-center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Stent under-expansion due to calcification is associated with a less durable result. The development of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) has provided clinicians with a readily available, simple-to-use treatment option for coronary calcification, but the use of IVL within a previously stented segment is currently off-license. There are, however, developing data suggesting that the use of IVL can be an effective treatment option for patients with calcific stent under-expansion. METHOD: This was a single-center study of all patients treated with IVL for calcific stent under-expansion between January 2019 and June 2021. The impact of IVL on quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) stenosis and on the minimal stent area (MSA) derived from intracoronary imaging were recorded. The presence of periprocedural complications and adverse cardiovascular events was obtained from the clinical record during the study timeframe. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients underwent IVL for calcific stent under-expansion during the study time frame with one patient treated with more than one lesion in the same session. In all lesions, there was an improvement in the QCA stenosis with 37 (92.5%) having a residual stenosis of ≤30%. The mean QCA stenosis pre-IVL was 68 ± 21% and following IVL the mean QCA was 18 ± 9% (p < 0.001). In all lesions, there was an improvement in the MSA, with 26 (92.9%) achieving an MSA of more than 4.5 mm2 . The mean MSA pre-IVL was 3.88 ± 1.51 mm2 and following IVL the mean MSA was 7.41 ± 2.34 mm2 (p < 0.001). There were no major procedural complications. Over a mean follow-up of 506 ± 277 days, one patient died from ventricular arrhythmia but there were no other major adverse cardiovascular events. CONCLUSION: This single-center study demonstrates that IVL is a safe and effective treatment for calcific stent under-expansion with good medium-term results.

CRISPR/Cas tool designs for multiplex genome editing and its applications in developing biotic and abiotic stress-resistant crop plants.

Crop plants are prone to several yield-reducing biotic and abiotic stresses. The crop yield reductions due to these stresses need addressing to maintain an adequate balance between the increasing world population and food production to avoid food scarcities in the future. It is impossible to increase the area under food crops proportionately to meet the rising food demand. In such an adverse scenario overcoming the biotic and abiotic stresses through biotechnological interventions may serve as a boon to help meet the globe's food requirements. Under the current genomic era, the wide availability of genomic resources and genome editing technologies such as Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs), Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs), and Clustered-Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR-associated proteins (CRISPR/Cas) has widened the scope of overcoming these stresses for several food crops. These techniques have made gene editing more manageable and accessible with changes at the embryo level by adding or deleting DNA sequences of the target gene(s) from the genome. The CRISPR construct consists of a single guide RNA having complementarity with the nucleotide fragments of the target gene sequence, accompanied by a protospacer adjacent motif. The target sequence in the organism's genome is then cleaved by the Cas9 endonuclease for obtaining a desired trait of interest. The current review describes the components, mechanisms, and types of CRISPR/Cas techniques and how this technology has helped to functionally characterize genes associated with various biotic and abiotic stresses in a target organism. This review also summarizes the application of CRISPR/Cas technology targeting these stresses in crops through knocking down/out of associated genes.

Transcriptome analysis unravels RNAi pathways genes and putative expansion of CYP450 gene family in cotton leafhopper Amrasca biguttula (Ishida).

Cotton Leafhopper, Amrasca biguttula is an important pest of cotton and okra in the Indian subcontinent. Presently limited genomic/transcriptomic information is available for this insect in any of open source databases. The present study reports the first assembled and annotated de novo transcriptome of cotton leafhopper. Out of 75,551 transcripts, 39,613 CDS (Coding Sequence) were predicted with 35,282 showing positive blast hits with NCBI nr database. The Gene ontology (GO) analysis annotated 7431 CDS  with KEGG pathway categorizing these CDS into 22 different functional groups. The majority of CDS were annotated in signal transduction and transport catabolism pathways. The sequence data was screened for RNAi pathway genes and presence of 37 transcripts associated with this process confirmed the existence of robust RNAi machinery. The role of core RNAi machinery genes (Dicer-2, Ago-2, Piwi and Staufen) has been validated through dsRNA feeding studies. The data resource has also been used to identify potential RNAi targets and genes associated with insecticide detoxification specifically CYP 450 family. The current study provides a useful sequence resource which can be used to initiate molecular studies in this insect with emphasis on insecticide resistance, RNAi and functional genomics.

Nanotechnology Facilitated Cultured Neuronal Network and Its Applications.

The development of a biomimetic neuronal network from neural cells is a big challenge for researchers. Recent advances in nanotechnology, on the other hand, have enabled unprecedented tools and techniques for guiding and directing neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro to construct an in vivo-like neuronal network. Nanotechnology allows control over neural stem cells by means of scaffolds that guide neurons to reform synaptic networks in suitable directions in 3D architecture, surface modification/nanopatterning to decide cell fate and stimulate/record signals from neurons to find out the relationships between neuronal circuit connectivity and their pathophysiological functions. Overall, nanotechnology-mediated methods facilitate precise physiochemical controls essential to develop tools appropriate for applications in neuroscience. This review emphasizes the newest applications of nanotechnology for examining central nervous system (CNS) roles and, therefore, provides an insight into how these technologies can be tested in vitro before being used in preclinical and clinical research and their potential role in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.

RNA sequencing, selection of reference genes and demonstration of feeding RNAi in Thrips tabaci (Lind.) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).

BACKGROUND: Thrips tabaci is a severe pest of onion and cotton. Due to lack of information on its genome or transcriptome, not much is known about this insect at the molecular level. To initiate molecular studies in this insect, RNA was sequenced; de novo transcriptome assembly and analysis were performed. The RNAseq data was used to identify reference and RNAi pathway genes in this insect. Additionally, feeding RNAi was demonstrated in T. tabaci for the first time. RESULTS: From the assembled transcriptome, 27,836 coding sequence (CDS) with an average size of 1236 bp per CDS were identified. About 85.4% of CDS identified showed positive Blast hits. The homologs of most of the core RNAi machinery genes were identified in this transcriptome. To select reference genes for reverse-transcriptase real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) experiments, 14 housekeeping genes were identified in the transcriptome and their expression was analyzed by (RT-qPCR). UbiCE in adult, 28s in nymphs and SOD under starvation stress were identified as the most stable reference genes for RT-qPCR. Feeding dsSNF7 and dsAQP caused 16.4- and 14.47-fold reduction in SNF7 and AQP mRNA levels respectively, when compared to their levels in dsGFP fed control insects. Feeding dsSNF7 or dsAQP also caused 62 and 72% mortality in T. tabaci. Interestingly, simultaneous feeding of dsRNAs targeting SNF7 or AQP and one of the RNAi pathway genes (Dicer-2/Aubergine/Staufen) resulted in a significant reduction in RNAi of target genes. These data suggest the existence of robust RNAi machinery in T. tabaci. CONCLUSION: The current research is the first report of the assembled, analyzed and annotated RNAseq resource for T. tabaci, which may be used for future molecular studies in this insect. Reference genes validated across stages and starvation stress provides first-hand information on stable genes in T. tabaci. The information on RNAi machinery genes and significant knockdown of the target gene through dsRNA feeding in synthetic diet confirms the presence of efficient RNAi in this insect. These data provide a solid foundation for further research on developing RNAi as a method to manage this pest.

Structural and dynamical aspects of PEG/LiClO4 in solvent mixtures via NMR spectroscopy.

Motivated by the potential usefulness of polyethylene glycol (PEG)/Li+ salt mixtures in several industrial applications, we investigated the structure and dynamics of PEG/LiClO4 mixtures in D2 O and its mixtures with CD3 CN and DMSO-d6 , in a series of PEG-based polymers with a wide variation in their molecular weights. 1 H NMR chemical shifts, T1 /T2 relaxation rates, pulsed-field gradient NMR diffusion experiments, and 2D HOESY NMR studies have been performed to understand the structural and dynamical aspects of these mixtures. Increasing the temperature of the medium results in a significant perturbation in the H-bonded structure of PEG in its PEG/LiClO4 /D2 O mixtures as observed from the increase in chemical shifts. On the other hand, the addition of molecular cosolvents has a negligible effect. The hydrodynamic structure of PEG shows a pronounced variation at low temperature with increasing molecular weight, which, however, disappears at higher temperatures. Increasing the temperature leads to a decrease in the hydrodynamic structure of PEG, which can be explained on the basis of solvation-desolvation phenomena. The 2D HOESY NMR spectra reveal a new finding of Li+ -water binding in the PEG/LiClO4 /D2 O mixtures with the addition of molecular solvents, suggesting that the Li+ cation diffuses freely in the D2 O mixtures of polymers as compared with the polymer mixtures with DMSO or CD3 CN.

Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals Using Cotton Plant: A Field Analysis.

Phytoremediation, a technique dependent on the heavy metal bioaccumulation and translocation in different parts of plants, is an efficient and environment friendly method for decontamination of soils from metals. In the present study, the bioaccumulation and translocation of heavy metals was analyzed in different parts of cotton plant grown in intensively cultivated agricultural fields of Malwa region of Punjab, India. The soils were found to be alkaline in nature with very high sand contents which resulted in low retention of metals (As, Cr, Cu, Mn, Sr and Zn) in soils. But, the bioaccumulation factor and translocation factor calculated for metal accumulation analysis in cotton plant parts were found to be above 1 (maximum 9.13 for Sr) which indicated that the cotton plant (a non-edible fibre crop) can prove to be a significant system for phytoremediation and an efficient green tool for decontamination of soils from heavy metals.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue by Plasmonic Metal-TiO2 Nanocatalysts Under Visible Light Irradiation.

This study demonstrates photocatalytic activity of 1 wt% plasmonic metal (Au, Ag and Cu)­TiO2 nanocatalysts prepared via photodeposition method for the photo oxidative decomposition of methylene blue (MB 0.01 mM) under visible light (50 mWcm−2) irradiation. Plasmonic metal loaded-TiO2 photocatalysts absorb with an absorption maximum at localized surface plasmon resonance wavelengths (500­785 nm). It has been observed that pH altered the surface charge (ζ) of TiO2 (ζ = ­4.98, ­4.0 and +9.16 at pH = 10, 7 and 3, respectively). The point of zero charge (PZC) at pH 6.3 has been determined from a correlation plot between pH and ζ. Higher rate of degradation was observed at pH = 10 because of electrostatic interaction of cationic MB with anionic TiO2. Higher photocatalytic activity was shown by Cu­TiO2 followed by Au­TiO2 and Ag­TiO2 photocatalysts in comparison to TiO2-P25. This enhancement in photocatalytic efficiency is attributed to the plasmonic effect and effective charge separation at the interface between nano size metal deposits and TiO2 particles. The overall photocatalytic reaction followed pseudo first order kinetics as per Langmuir Hinshelwood kinetic equation. GC and GC-MS studies suggested the formation of thionin after demethylation and derivatives of benzene sulphonic acid which are subsequently degraded to CO2 after prolonged irradiation time.

Theranostic Probes for Targeting Tumor Microenvironment: An Overview.

Long gone is the time when tumors were thought to be insular masses of cells, residing independently at specific sites in an organ. Now, researchers gradually realize that tumors interact with the extracellular matrix (ECM), blood vessels, connective tissues, and immune cells in their environment, which is now known as the tumor microenvironment (TME). It has been found that the interactions between tumors and their surrounds promote tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. The dynamics and diversity of TME cause the tumors to be heterogeneous and thus pose a challenge for cancer diagnosis, drug design, and therapy. As TME is significant in enhancing tumor progression, it is vital to identify the different components in the TME such as tumor vasculature, ECM, stromal cells, and the lymphatic system. This review explores how these significant factors in the TME, supply tumors with the required growth factors and signaling molecules to proliferate, invade, and metastasize. We also examine the development of TME-targeted nanotheranostics over the recent years for cancer therapy, diagnosis, and anticancer drug delivery systems. This review further discusses the limitations and future perspective of nanoparticle based theranostics when used in combination with current imaging modalities like Optical Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Nuclear Imaging (Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computer Tomography (SPECT)).

Effect of Selective Heart Rate Slowing in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality but is currently refractory to therapy. Despite limited evidence, heart rate reduction has been advocated, on the basis of physiological considerations, as a therapeutic strategy in HFpEF. We tested the hypothesis that heart rate reduction improves exercise capacity in HFpEF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a randomized, crossover study comparing selective heart rate reduction with the If blocker ivabradine at 7.5 mg twice daily versus placebo for 2 weeks each in 22 symptomatic patients with HFpEF who had objective evidence of exercise limitation (peak oxygen consumption at maximal exercise [o2 peak] <80% predicted for age and sex). The result was compared with 22 similarly treated matched asymptomatic hypertensive volunteers. The primary end point was the change in o2 peak. Secondary outcomes included tissue Doppler-derived E/e' at echocardiography, plasma brain natriuretic peptide, and quality-of-life scores. Ivabradine significantly reduced peak heart rate compared with placebo in the HFpEF (107 versus 129 bpm; P<0.0001) and hypertensive (127 versus 145 bpm; P=0.003) cohorts. Ivabradine compared with placebo significantly worsened the change in o2 peak in the HFpEF cohort (-2.1 versus 0.9 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1); P=0.003) and significantly reduced submaximal exercise capacity, as determined by the oxygen uptake efficiency slope. No significant effects on the secondary end points were discernable. CONCLUSION: Our observations bring into question the value of heart rate reduction with ivabradine for improving symptoms in a HFpEF population characterized by exercise limitation. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02354573.

Reduced stability and intracellular transport of dsRNA contribute to poor RNAi response in lepidopteran insects.

RNA interference (RNAi) has become a widely used reverse genetic tool to study gene function in eukaryotic organisms and is being developed as a technology for insect pest management. The efficiency of RNAi varies among organisms. Insects from different orders also display differential efficiency of RNAi, ranging from highly efficient (coleopterans) to very low efficient (lepidopterans). We investigated the reasons for varying RNAi efficiency between lepidopteran and coleopteran cell lines and also between the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata and tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens. The dsRNA either injected or fed was degraded faster in H. virescens than in L. decemlineata. Both lepidopteran and coleopteran cell lines and tissues efficiently took up the dsRNA. Interestingly, the dsRNA administered to coleopteran cell lines and tissues was taken up and processed to siRNA whereas the dsRNA was taken up by lepidopteran cell lines and tissues but no siRNA was detected in the total RNA isolated from these cell lines and tissues. The data included in this paper showed that the degradation and intracellular transport of dsRNA are the major factors responsible for reduced RNAi efficiency in lepidopteran insects.

Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of as-Prepared Sodium Titanates for m-Dinitrobenzene Reduction and Sulfosulfuron Oxidation.

This paper demonstrates the preparation and photocatalytic activity of sodium titanate nanorods and nanotubes prepared by hydrothermal method using P25-TiO2 as the precursor. XRD results confirmed the monoclinic structure of sodium titanate nanorods obtained after calcinations of orthorhombic sodium titanate nanotubes at 800 °C for 2 h. The BET surface area of sodium titanate nanotubes (176 m2 g-1) was significantly reduced for sodium titanate nanorods (21 m2 g-1) formation because of the collapsing of the hollow interior of the former during its high temperature sintering. The selective formation of m-diaminobenzene by the photoreduction of the m-dinitrobenzene was found to be comparable by sodium titanate nanorods (89.5 ± 0.5%) and P25-TiO2 (98.2 ± 0.8%), whereas Au-deposition (0.5 and 2 wt%) onto sodium titanate nanorods notably altered the products (m-nitroaniline and m-diaminobenzene) distribution after 8 h of UV-light irradiation and which was confirmed later by GC-MS analysis. This high photoactivity of as-prepared nanorods could be credited to better delocalization and longer relaxation lifetime (68 µs) of photoexcited e-/h+ pairs along the length of crystalline sodium titanate nanorods than P25-TiO2 (45 µs) as measured from Time-resolved spectroscopy. The photooxidation of sulfosulfuron herbicide (1000 ppm) and corresponding CO2 formation was found to be highest with sodium titanate nanotubes due to the presence of more hydroxyl groups over the largest surface area that dominates over its least relaxation lifetime (41 µs).

Pneumothorax Secondary to a Traumatic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Injury.

A pneumothorax is a medical condition characterized by the presence of free air in the pleural cavity. Pneumothorax can be classified as spontaneous, traumatic, or iatrogenic. Spontaneous pneumothorax sustained from a jiu-jitsu-induced blunt trauma has not been described in any sports literature. This case report involves a 26-year-old male athlete who presented to the emergency room complaining of right-sided chest pain in the recumbent position and shortness of breath upon exertion. Breath sounds were diminished on the right with hyper resonance to percussion. Inspection of the chest revealed diffuse erythema on the right side. A chest X-ray revealed a right tension pneumothorax that was treated with a 20-French chest tube. This report aims to highlight the importance of recognizing the possibility of pneumothorax in jiu-jitsu athletes, implementing early treatment, and exploring potential causes of pneumothorax in otherwise healthy individuals.

Classification of substances by health hazard using deep neural networks and molecular electron densities.

In this paper we present a method that allows leveraging 3D electron density information to train a deep neural network pipeline to segment regions of high, medium and low electronegativity and classify substances as health hazardous or non-hazardous. We show that this can be used for use-cases such as cosmetics and food products. For this purpose, we first generate 3D electron density cubes using semiempirical molecular calculations for a custom European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) subset consisting of substances labelled as hazardous and non-hazardous for cosmetic usage. Together with their 3-class electronegativity maps we train a modified 3D-UNet with electron density cubes to segment reactive sites in molecules and classify substances with an accuracy of 78.1%. We perform the same process on a custom food dataset (CompFood) consisting of hazardous and non-hazardous substances compiled from European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) OpenFoodTox, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) and FooDB datasets to achieve a classification accuracy of 64.1%. Our results show that 3D electron densities and particularly masked electron densities, calculated by taking a product of original electron densities and regions of high and low electronegativity can be used to classify molecules for different use-cases and thus serve not only to guide safe-by-design product development but also aid in regulatory decisions. SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTION: We aim to contribute to the diverse 3D molecular representations used for training machine learning algorithms by showing that a deep learning network can be trained on 3D electron density representation of molecules. This approach has previously not been used to train machine learning models and it allows utilization of the true spatial domain of the molecule for prediction of properties such as their suitability for usage in cosmetics and food products and in future, to other molecular properties. The data and code used for training is accessible at https://github.com/s-singh-ivv/eDen-Substances .

Investigating the second whitefly population outbreak within a decade in the cotton growing zone of North India.

The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), is a polyphagous and major pest of cotton worldwide. Both adults and nymphs of B. tabaci affect the crop by causing direct and indirect damage. A severe whitefly outbreak was experienced during 2015 on cotton in North India and this was followed by a profound infestation during 2022. The present research rigorously examined whether the proliferation in the whitefly population was an outbreak or the result of a multi factor resurgence. During 2015, whitefly counts remained above the economic threshold level (ETL) between 28th and 35th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW). However, during 2022 above ETL population was observed in 27th SMW and it persisted until 36th SMW. The peak incidence of the whitefly was noticed during 31st and 29th SMW in 2015 and 2022, respectively. The early pest build up in 2022 and longer persistence (≥10 weeks) over the cotton season resulted in more damage to cotton crop. Additionally, pest survillence across the zone on the farmers' fields during 2022 revealed 44.4 per cent spots (585 out of 1,317 locations) above ETL while the corresponding locations in 2015 was 57% (620 out of 1,089). Thus, in 2022 infestation was not uniform in the entire zone wherein only few blocks of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan states of India experienced severe infestations of the whitefly. This study reports the complex of factors including weather, delayed sowing, use of tank mixtures/ subleathal doses of insecticides, pest resurgence etc. that might have possibly contributed to these upsurges in whitefly on cotton in north India.