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Amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition in the brain is regarded as an early toxic effect in the aetiopathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Currently, Aβ is considered a key marker for AD and a promising target for drug development for the future management of debilitating diseases such as AD. However, the pathomechanism of Aβ has not yet been precisely understood in terms of AD patients, specifically regarding the pathological forms of Aβ and how it associates with other biochemical markers to cause dementia. Identifying Aβ as a key hallmark, especially at the earliest stages of the disease, is essential for understanding the progression of AD and its applicability for the development of novel therapeutics aimed at managing cognitive impairment and AD. This review aims to explain the neurotoxicity of Aβ and its correlation with various other biological markers that contribute to the induction of AD and memory deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence (AI) has great potential to assist researchers in writing research proposals, by generating hypotheses, identifying literature, and suggesting methods for data collection and analysis. However, the use of AI in research proposal writing raises important bioethical implications, including the unintentional propagation of bias and questions about the role of human expertise and judgment in the research process. This paper explores the ethical implications of using AI in research proposal writing and proposes guidelines for the responsible and ethical use of AI in this context. The paper will review the potential benefits and challenges associated with using AI in research proposal writing, discuss the role of human expertise and judgment, and propose guidelines for promoting transparency and accountability in developing and using AI systems. Ultimately, addressing the bioethical issues related to AI in research proposal writing will require ongoing dialogue and collaboration between stakeholders, as well as a commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study conducts an empirical analysis of the impact of climate risk on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investments in Asia. Using monthly data from 2015 to 2022 for 11 Asian countries and applying wavelet coherence analysis with a panel Auto-regressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL) cointegration approach, the study concludes that (1) ESG and stock market returns are positively correlated during economic turmoil in China and Malaysia; (2) climate risk positively influences ESG returns, suggesting that it enhances returns during uncertain times rather than having a detrimental effect; (3) returns on conventional assets are negatively impacted by climate risk; and (4) ESG investments serve as an effective hedge against climate risk and provide a sound strategy for portfolio diversification in the Asian market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the worst diseases in the world, hepatic carcinoma requires expensive medical care upfront. Around the world, Bryophyllum pinnatum is a plant that is used in folk medicine to treat a variety of illnesses. Because of its abundance of active therapeutic compounds, the plant is employed for its major pharmacological effects. As a result, it aids in the treatment of liver cancer, and Bryophyllum pinnatum can be used in place of more expensive medications. In hepatocarcinogenesis disease, the Pi3k-Akt pathway, downstream signalling pathway, MAPK pathway, and PDGF pathway in the liver is engaged in the invasion and spread of malignant cells. Methanolic, ethanolic, and aqueous extracts of the phytochemicals of Bryophyllum pinnatum were subjected to qualitative analysis, the results indicated that the yield of phytochemicals in the ethanolic extracts was higher than in the other two extracts. The bufadienolides, β-sitosterol and bryophyllin A, which possess chemotherapeutic potential, were chosen for our computational investigation to assess their ability to interact with key signalling molecules such as VEGFR2, IGFR, C-KIT, RET, Pi3K, C-Met, MEK-inhibitor, and PDGFR. UCSF Chimera X was utilised to optimise the recovered molecules and by using data from the protein databank. The interaction of bryophyllin A and β-sitosterol, of the plant with the selected signalling molecules was investigated using the molecular docking tool, CB-Dock. According to the docking analysis, Bryophillin A strongly interacted with Pi3K than the other proteins whereas β-sitosterol showed stronger interaction with C-met. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coccinellidae is a diverse and species-rich family that includes predaceous, phytophagous and mycophagous insects, which are significant to agriculture. This study aimed to estimate the diversity of coccinellids and document their associated prey in agricultural fields of northern Kerala, India and to generate DNA barcodes for the species collected during the study. Twenty-seven species under seven tribes were reported in this study, which includes three phytophagous, two mycophagous and 22 predaceous beetles. The information on prey species and/or host plants of the beetles are given furnished. Diversity indices of coccinellids across different agroecological zones and crops of northern Kerala were estimated. Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences of 18 species were generated and phylogenetic analysis was carried out. Coccinellini was recorded as the predominant tribe of Coccinellidae in northern Kerala. High hills were found to be the most diverse agroecological zone for Coccinellidae, whereas plantation crops and vegetables were the most diverse crop ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation was conducted to study the seasonal occurrence of Bactrocera spp. (Diptera, Tephritidae) in the mango orchards of College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Padannakkad. Surveillance of fruit flies was conducted using bottle traps with methyl eugenol lure. A total of 10,546 fruit flies were trapped with the predominant species being Bactrocera dorsalis. Four species viz., B. dorsalis, Zeugodacus tau, B. zonata and Z. cucurbitae were identified from the population collected in that order of dominance. Out of fruit flies captured, B. dorsalis, accounted for 97.97 per cent. The highest weekly population of fruit flies was recorded in the 14th standard meteorological week (SMW) of 2022 from April 2 to 8, 2022, with 793 fruit flies, while the lowest population in 50th SMW from December 10 to 16, 2021 with only one fruit fly. The monthly average population was highest in May with 667.5 flies per month and lowest in December with 16 flies per month. During the period of host availability (April to June), the population of fruit flies exhibited significant positive correlation with minimum temperature (0.805), and a significant negative correlation with soil temperature (-0.512). There was a negative correlation with maximum temperature (-0.329) and wind speed (-0.192) while a positive correlation was observed with rainfall (+0.204). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to use green synthesized TiO2 as a photocatalyst in suspended and immobilized form under UV light to efficiently degrade a combination of reactive dyes, namely titan yellow, methyl orange, rhodamine B, and methylene blue. TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using Tamarindus indica leaf extract and were utilized to parametrically study photo-degradation at room temperature. The green synthesized NPs were characterized by Powder XRD, SEM, and FTIR techniques to understand the crystalline phase/purity, morphology, and functional groups respectively. The TiO2 in suspension under UV light showed >90% degradation towards a 10 ppm composite dye at a loading of 1.5 gL−1, pH 7, and an irradiation time of 120 min. Subsequently, TiO2 was further immobilized in-situ, on inert supports of perlite granules and glass and studied for catalytic activity in batch and continuous modes. The TiO2 nanoparticles immobilized on perlite granules and glass showed 59 and 48% degradation in batch operation under the same conditions as in suspended form. In continuous mode, the highest degradation activity was recorded at 2 Lh−1 after 4 passes. Further, kinetic studies reveal that the degradation reaction is best described by Langmuir Hinshelwood kinetics for both suspended and immobilized TiO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]