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In real life situation, it is often difficult to judge the relative importance of different parameters being considered for evaluating some alternatives. In the context of fuzzy sets, it is a situation where it is difficult to define precise membership grades for attribute values. Here we require more generalized type of fuzzy sets which have a greater representational power than ordinary fuzzy sets. For this purpose we use “interval type-2 trapezoidal fuzzy preference relations (IT2TrFPRs)” in this article as a generalization of fuzzy preference relations and consider the environment discussed above, where there is no information on priority weights. A collective decision matrix will be constructed on the basis of hybrid averages using weighted averaging and signed distance based OWA operation. Then a least deviation model will be employed in order to determine the priority weight vectors. Finally, the alternatives will be ranked on the basis of weighted normalized signed distance of each alternative from the ideal solution. Moreover, a real life example of location selection is illustrated to elaborate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.

Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) is a major constraint for production of cotton (Gossypium sp.) in Northwest India. CLCuD is caused by a monopartite, circular ssDNA virus belonging to the genus Begomovirus in association with betasatellites and alphasatellites, and ttransmitted by a whitefly vector (Bemisia tabaci). To explore the genetic variability in betasatellites and alphasatellite associated with the CLCuD-begomovirus complex in Northwest India. A survey was conducted for successive three years of 2014 to 2016 and twig samples from symptomatic and healthy cotton plants randomly were collected. Total plant DNAs were isolated, subjected to rolling circle amplification (RCA), cloning and sequencing. Full-length genome of 12 betasatellites and 13 alphasatellites, those were obtained in the present study, were analyzed. Sequence analysis showed that all the present betasatellites shared 85-99 percent nucleotide identity (PNI) among themselves and 84-95 PNI with other members of Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMB) and fell into one genogroup along with CLCuMB. But in close observation the present betasatellites clustered into two phylogenetic subgroups under single CLCuMB. The present alphasatellites showed 72-100 PNI among themselves and fell under three alphasatellite species, Gossypium Darwinii symptomless alphasatellite (GDarSLA), Cotton leaf curl Multan alphasatellite (CLCuMA) and Cotton leaf curl Burewala alphasatellite (CLCuBuA). In the recombination analysis, all the present betasatellites and alphasatellites were found to be recombinants involving intra species recombination in betasatellite, and interspecies recombination in alphasatellite species. The present study indicated that the betasatellite and alphasatellite molecules associated with CLCuD-begomovirus complex in Northwest India are genetically diverse., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2025 Biswas et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Enhancers are non-coding cis-regulatory elements crucial for transcriptional regulation. Mutations in enhancers can disrupt gene regulation, leading to disease phenotypes. Identifying enhancers and their tissue-specific activity is challenging due to their lack of stereotyped sequences. This study presents a sequence-based computational model that uses combinatorial transcription factor (TF) genomic occupancy to predict tissue-specific enhancers. Trained on diverse datasets, including ENCODE and Vista enhancer browser data, the model predicted 25 000 forebrain-specific cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) in the human genome. Validation using biochemical features, disease-associated SNPs, and in vivo zebrafish analysis confirmed its effectiveness. This model aids in predicting enhancers lacking well-characterized chromatin features, complementing experimental approaches in tissue-specific enhancer discovery., (© 2024 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.)

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid widely used in medicine for its effective analgesic properties, particularly in surgical procedures and in the treatment of severe, chronic pain. In recent decades, however, there has been a worrying increase in the illicit use of fentanyl, particularly in North America. This rise in illicit use is concerning because fentanyl is associated with polydrug abuse, which adds layers of complexity and dangerous. This review provides a comprehensive examination of fentanyl, focusing on its synthesis and medical use. It also discusses the significance of the piperidine ring in medicinal chemistry as well as the critical role of fentanyl in pain management and anesthesia. Furthermore, it addresses the challenges associated with the abuse potential of fentanyl and the resulting public health concerns. The study aims to strike a balance between the clinical benefits and risks of fentanyl by advocating for innovative uses while addressing public health issues. It examines the chemistry, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of fentanyl and highlights the importance of personalized medicine in the administration of opioids. The review underscores the necessity of continuous research and adaptation in both clinical use and public health strategies., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a long-standing global issue ever since the introduction of penicillin, the first antibiotic. Scientists are constantly working to develop innovative antibiotics that are more effective and superior. Unfortunately, the misuse of antibiotics has resulted in their declining effectiveness over the years. By 2050, it is projected that approximately 10 million lives could be lost annually due to antibiotic resistance. Gaining insight into the mechanisms behind the development and transmission of AMR in well-known bacteria including Escherichia coli, Bacillus pumilus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, and the gut microbiota is crucial for researchers. Environmental contamination in third world and developing countries also plays a significant role in the increase of AMR. Despite the availability of numerous recognized antibiotics to combat bacterial infections, their effectiveness is diminishing due to the growing problem of AMR. The overuse of antibiotics has led to an increase in resistance rates and negative impacts on global health. This highlights the importance of implementing strong antimicrobial stewardship and improving global monitoring, as emphasized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations. In the face of these obstacles, quinoxaline derivatives have emerged as promising candidates. They are characterized by their remarkable efficacy against a broad spectrum of harmful bacteria, including strains that are resistant to multiple drugs. These compounds are known for their strong structural stability and adaptability, making them a promising and creative solution to the AMR crisis. This review aims to assess the effectiveness of quinoxaline derivatives in treating drug-resistant infections, with the goal of making a meaningful contribution to the global fight against AMR., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Hena Khatoon reports was provided by University Putra Malaysia. Hena Khatoon reports a relationship with Universiti Putra Malaysia that includes: non-financial support. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The effects of growth and reproduction on the marine Cyclops sp. were investigated using three microalgae as diets. The development period of Cyclops sp. was evaluated at 10 6 cells/ml in 15ppt salinity to identify the stationary phase. The survival rate of marine Cyclops from nauplius to adult differed according to the microalgal diet. The results showed that the shortest time (14 days) and highest survival (17.6 ± 0.131 %) for Cyclops sp. was achieved with those fed with Nannochloropsis sp. Whereas, it took longest time (37 days) and lowest survival rate (6.40 ± 0.035 %) when fed C hlamydomonas sp. The developmental period from naupli (I - VI) (6.91 ± 0.453 days), copepodite (I - VI) (11.4 ± 0.311days) and naupli to adult (20 ± 1.08 days) appeared significantly longer when fed with Nannochloropsis sp. compared to other treatments. The daily mean naupli production of adult females over 7 days was significantly higher ( p ˂ 0.05) in Nannochloropsis sp. compared with Chlamydomonas sp. and Gonyostomum sp. On the 25th day of Nannochloropsis sp. treatment, 99 % of the mature females died. Production (naupli, copepodite adult male and adult female) was significantly higher ( p ˂ 0.05) in Nannochloropsis sp. than in other microalgal diets. On the fifteenth day, Nannochloropsis sp. showed a significantly higher ( p ˂ 0.05) specific growth rate than other microalgal diets. Nannochloropsis sp. had the highest nauplius survival rate on the sixth day compared to other microalgal diets. With Nannochloropsis sp . , the species has a higher hatching rate, and in Chlamydomonas sp. hatching occurs earlier. The average lifespan for Nannochloropsis sp. was 46 days, for Chlamydomonas sp. it was 37 days, and for Gonyostomum sp. it was 32 days., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

The scientific community has been drawn towards natural plant resources due to the rising success rates. This work aimed to explore the phytochemical, antioxidant and anti-cancer properties of an ethanolic extract derived from the leaves of Buxus wallichiana Baill. which is utilized in traditional medicine in the treatment of various disease such as respiratory disorders, GI disorders and inflammation. Chemical composition of the ethanolic extract of BW leaves was evaluated by using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and phytochemical analysis. Moreover, anti-oxidant and anticancer activity was carried out through 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl scavenging activity method and 3-(4, 5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay against human glioblastoma cell line. ANOVA test was used to analyze the results followed by Bonferoni's post hoc. Results were significant at P <0.05 and demonstrated that, blocking the production of free radicals also caused tumor cell proliferation on the U 87 MG. Thus, the results show the same pattern of toxicity as indicated by the American National Cancer Institute. The minimum dose for cytotoxic activity of the crude extract was less than 30μg/mL. BW leave extract is considered to have promising anticancer potential as well as antioxidant due to the presence of potent compounds and could become a source of treatment with minimum side effects.

A feeding trial spanning two months was conducted to evaluate the effects of Chlamydomonas sp . on growth performance, water quality, survival, proximate composition and biochemical profile of common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) where fishmeal was partially replaced using Chlamydomonas sp . in the diet. Twenty uniform-sized common carp fries were distributed into triplicate groups and placed in 40-liter rectangular glass tanks. Chlamydomonas sp. was added at different levels in the diet: 0 % (control), 5 % (C5), 10 % (C10), 15 % (C15) along with the commercial feed (CMF). After the experiment, random sampling of fish was performed to conduct all the analyses. Significant variations ( p < 0.05) were found in the chemical water quality parameters. The highest survival rate was recorded from C15 (81.67 %) followed by C10 (71.67 %), CMF (63.33 %) and C5 (58.33 %) respectively compared with the control (43.2 %). There were significant differences ( p < 0.05) observed among all the treatments in terms of Average Daily Gains (ADG), Specific Growth Rate (SGR) and length increments. Protein content ranged the highest and the lowest in C15 (35.6 %) and control (24.8 %) respectively. The C15 group showed the highest lipid content (15.7 %) and the control group showed the lowest lipid (8.4 %). The inclusion of Chlamydomonas sp . in the diet had a significant positive impact on the fatty acid and amino acid profile of whole common carp. Present data revealed that substituting a portion of fishmeal with Chlamydomonas sp. powder could provide higher growth performance, offering both nutritional benefits and higher survival rate in common carp ( Cyprinus carpio )., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

The ubiquitous proximity of the commonly used microplastic (MP) particles particularly polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) poses a serious threat to the environment and human health globally. Biological treatment as an environment-friendly approach to counter MP pollution has recent interest when the bio-agent has beneficial functions in their ecosystem. This study aimed to utilize beneficial floc-forming bacteria Bacillus cereus SHBF2 isolated from an aquaculture farm in reducing the MP particles (PE, PP, and PS) from their environment. The bacteria were inoculated for 60 days in a medium containing MP particle as a sole carbon source. On different days of incubation (DOI), the bacterial growth analysis was monitored and the MP particles were harvested to examine their weight loss, surface changes, and alterations in chemical properties. After 60 DOI, the highest weight loss was recorded for PE, 6.87 ± 0.92%, which was further evaluated to daily reduction rate (k), 0.00118 day -1 , and half-life (t 1/2 ), 605.08 ± 138.52 days. The OD value (1.74 ± 0.008 Abs.) indicated the higher efficiency of bacteria for PP utilization, and so for the colony formation per define volume (1.04 × 10 11 CFU/mL). Biofilm formation, erosions, cracks, and fragments were evident during the observation of the tested MPs using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The formation of carbonyl and alcohol group due to the oxidation and hydrolysis by SHBF2 strain were confirmed using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) analysis. Additionally, the alterations of pH and CO 2 evolution from each of the MP type ensures the bacterial activity and mineralization of the MP particles. The findings of this study have confirmed and indicated a higher degree of biodegradation for all of the selected MP particles. B. cereus SHBF2, the floc-forming bacteria used in aquaculture, has demonstrated a great potential for use as an efficient MP-degrading bacterium in the biofloc farming system in the near future to guarantee a sustainable green aquaculture production., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The dataset includes a comparative analysis of Gonyostomum sp. and Tetraedron sp. to characterize their productivity, proximate composition, biochemical composition and pigments. Growth data were collected through cell density and optical density and subsequently mass-cultured to utilize biomass for other analyses. The onset of the stationary phase (12 to 18 days) varied between the species. Volumetric productivity, areal productivity, and SGR were also significantly higher ( p ˂ 0.05) in Gonyostomum sp. whereas, Tetraedron sp. showed significantly higher ( p ˂ 0.05) cell duplication time and cell doublings per day (K). Gonyostomum sp. showed significantly higher ( p ˂ 0.05) protein (42.86±1.13%), carbohydrate (13.56±0.48%) and lipid (27.4 ± 0.69%) content than Tetraedron sp. Significantly higher ( p ˂ 0.05) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were obtained from both Gonyostomum sp. and Tetraedron sp. Non-essential amino acids were prevalent in both microalgae than essential amino acids. Significantly higher ( p ˂ 0.05) chlorophyll-a (5.51±0.00), chlorophyll-b (2.27±0.04) and phycobiliprotein (2.32±0.05) were found in Tetraedron sp. Conversely, Gonyostomum sp. exhibited higher ( p ˂ 0.05) carotenoid content (2.48±0.05). These findings may contribute to the screening and utilization of these microalgae in the aquaculture, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals sectors., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

TRPS1 serves as the causative gene for tricho-rhino phalangeal syndrome, known for its craniofacial and skeletal abnormalities. The Trps1 gene encodes a protein that represses Wnt signaling through strong interactions with Wnt signaling inhibitors. The identification of genomic cis-acting regulatory sequences governing Trps1 expression is crucial for understanding its role in embryogenesis. Nevertheless, to date, no investigations have been conducted concerning these aspects of Trps1. To identify deeply conserved noncoding elements (CNEs) within the Trps1 locus, we employed a comparative genomics approach, utilizing slowly evolving fish such as coelacanth and spotted gar. These analyses resulted in the identification of eight CNEs in the intronic region of the Trps1 gene. Functional characterization of these CNEs in zebrafish revealed their regulatory potential in various tissues, including pectoral fins, heart, and pharyngeal arches. RNA in-situ hybridization experiments revealed concordance between the reporter expression pattern induced by the identified set of CNEs and the spatial expression pattern of the trps1 gene in zebrafish. Comparative in vivo data from zebrafish and mice for CNE7/hs919 revealed conserved functions of these enhancers. Each of these eight CNEs was further investigated in cell line-based reporter assays, revealing their repressive potential. Taken together, in vivo and in vitro assays suggest a context-dependent dual functionality for the identified set of Trps1-associated CNE enhancers. This functionally characterized set of CNE-enhancers will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the developmental roles of Trps1 and can aid in the identification of noncoding DNA variants associated with human diseases., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Cyanobacteria are regarded as vital constituents of aquatic ecosystems which recently become viable option for bioremediation since it can remove contaminants from polluted water. They possess intriguing metabolic properties and exhibit differential growth patterns. This study elucidates the isolation and identification of two marine and two freshwater indigenous Oscillatoria spp., their growth performance, nutritional composition along with intricate biochemical profiles. Agar streak plate method was used for the isolation, growth curve was determined through chlorophyll content and optical density. Freshwater and marine Oscillatoria spp. were mass cultured in commercial Bold Basal Media and Conway media respectively. Wet biomass was harvested through centrifugation at the early stationary phase of their respective growth curve and oven-dried at 40 °C to determine the nutritional and biochemical profiles. Oscillatoria sp. 2 displayed significantly higher ( p ˂ 0.05) chlorophyll-a (22.72 ± 0.04 µg/mL) and OD value (1.87 ± 0.03) in the stationary phase (9th to 11th day) than the other species. Crude protein contents (%) varied from 21.56 ± 0.09 to 56.97 ± 0.03. Crude lipid (%) ranged from 9.07 ± 0.07 to 17.13 ± 0.13 and Crude fiber content (%) showed the range from 7.49 ± 0.15 to 17.04 ± 0.08. Fatty acid and amino acid were also found variable among the species. Present study will contribute to the meticulous selection and characterization of Oscillatoria sp. to utilize it in the rigorous scientific investigations and diverse commercial applications., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Abnormal expression of the transcriptional regulator and hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway effector Gli3 is known to trigger congenital disease, most frequently affecting the central nervous system (CNS) and the limbs. Accurate delineation of the genomic cis-regulatory landscape controlling Gli3 transcription during embryonic development is critical for the interpretation of noncoding variants associated with congenital defects. Here, we employed a comparative genomic analysis on fish species with a slow rate of molecular evolution to identify seven previously unknown conserved noncoding elements (CNEs) in Gli3 intronic intervals (CNE15-21). Transgenic assays in zebrafish revealed that most of these elements drive activities in Gli3 expressing tissues, predominantly the fins, CNS, and the heart. Intersection of these CNEs with human disease associated SNPs identified CNE15 as a putative mammalian craniofacial enhancer, with conserved activity in vertebrates and potentially affected by mutation associated with human craniofacial morphology. Finally, comparative functional dissection of an appendage-specific CNE conserved in slowly evolving fish (elephant shark), but not in teleost (CNE14/hs1586) indicates co-option of limb specificity from other tissues prior to the divergence of amniotes and lobe-finned fish. These results uncover a novel subset of intronic Gli3 enhancers that arose in the common ancestor of gnathostomes and whose sequence components were likely gradually modified in other species during the process of evolutionary diversification., (© 2023 Japanese Society of Developmental Biologists.)

Cyanobacterial species such as Oscillatoria spp. pigments are essential components that enable the photosynthetic ability of this autotrophic organism. These pigments, principally chlorophylls and phycobiliproteins, are crucial for photosynthesis and give cyanobacteria their distinctive blue-green color. Exploring these pigments is crucial for unraveling the ecological and biotechnological relevance and significance. Spectrophotometric methods were used for measuring the chlorophyll-a, phycobiliprotein, and carotenoid contents of Oscillatoria species. Oscillatoria spp. displayed significantly variable ( p ˂ 0.05) chlorophyll-a ranging from 12.67 ± 0.04 to 22.72 ± 0.04 µg/mL. Phycobiliprotein content (mg/g) significantly ( p ˂ 0.05) varied from 87.39 ± 0.12 µg/mL to 121.42 ± 0.06. Carotenoid content also significantly ranged from 1.0 ± 0.01 µg/mL to 1.4 ± 0.01 µg/mL. Present data will contribute to the screening and characterization of Oscillatoria spp. in terms of pigment to utilize it in rigorous scientific research and diverse commercial applications., (© 2023 The Author(s).)

Immunotherapeutic modulation of antigen-specific T-cell responses instead of the whole repertoire helps avoid immune-related adverse events. We have developed an artificial antigen-presenting system (aAPS) where multiple copies of a multimeric peptide-MHC class I complex presenting a murine class I MHC restricted ovalbumin-derived peptide (signal 1), along with a costimulatory ligand (signal 2) are chemically conjugated to a dextran backbone. Cognate naive CD8 + T cells, when treated with this aAPS underwent significant expansion and showed an activated phenotype. Furthermore, elevated expression of effector cytokines led to the differentiation of these cells to cytotoxic T lymphocytes which resulted in target cell lysis, indicative of the functional efficacy of the aAPS. CD8 + T cells with decreased proliferative potential due to repeated antigenic stimulation could also be re-expanded by the developed aAPS. Thus, the developed aAPS warrants further engineering for future application as a rapidly customizable personalized immunotherapeutic agent, incorporating patient-specific MHC-restricted tumor antigens and different costimulatory signals to modulate both naive and antigen-experienced but exhausted tumor-specific T cells in cancer., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

This paper presents the data on growth performance of marine Chlorella sp. cultured in different cost-effective media including cow dung, cow urine, poultry litter, compost, NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), and UTR (Urea, TSP, and red potash). Growth curve of Chlorella sp. was determined at 5 mg of cow dung, poultry litter, compost, NPK, UTR and 5 µL of cow urine per 350 ml sea water (25 ppt) to identify the onset of stationary phase. Further four media among these were selected to continue the experiment at 8 mg and 11 mg of concentration. The higher cell densities were 4.21 × 10 6 and 4.18 × 10 6  cells/mL for NPK at 8 mg and 11 mg of concentration on 6th and 5th day, respectively. Cow dung with an 11 mg of concentration exhibited 2.67 × 10 6  cells/mL on the 3rd day, which is around 1.5 times greater than the highest growth in the same concentration of poultry litter. Chlorella sp. had a higher cell density in NPK media than in other media, however it was discarded since it is inorganic and costly. Due to the low cell density in cow urine media and the prolonged stationary phase in poultry litter media, the focus of the subsequent study was then placed on cow dung media. The data will contribute to the selection of locally available and cost-effective culture media by determining the stationary phases for specific microalgal species which will replace the costly and labor-intensive commercial media., (© 2023 The Author(s).)

The antibacterial activity of phenolic extracts was assessed using the disk diffusion technique on two marine and two freshwater species of Oscillatoria . Three Gram positive bacteria ( Staphylococcus sp. and Streptococcus sp.) and nine Gram negative bacteria ( Escherichia coli, Vibrio spp., Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Pseudomonas spp., Aeromonas sp.) were isolated from diseased marine fish, shrimp and crab. Filamentous Oscillatoria sp. indicated higher antibiotic activity than planktonic one. Gram positive bacteria showed higher susceptibility to phenol compared to the gram-negative bacteria. Filamentous Oscillatoria sp. showed highest inhibition zone of 34.06 ± 0.08mm against Staphylococcus sp., while planktonic Oscillatoria sp. showed lower inhibition zone against Pseudomonas sp. about 17.11 ± 0.18mm. Minimum inhibitory concentration value was found to be 100 µg/ml for filamentous Oscillatoria sp., 150 µg/ml for planktonic Oscillatoria sp. These findings suggest that, Oscillatoria spp. contain potential antibacterial substances. It also paves the way for detailed analysis of Oscillatoria spp. bioactive compound for the creation of novel antibiotics and serve both the aquaculture and pharmaceutical industries., (© 2023 The Author(s).)

Melissa officinalis and Panax ginseng extracts were investigated to determine combinatorial effects on cognitive behaviors' of albino-rats. The study was prospective-experimental; lasted from June-2022 to March-2023. Learning and memory measurements were done by animal-models. Data analyzed by 22nd version of SPSS. In Passive-avoidance-test both doses of Melissa officinalis and Panax ginseng (100/100mg/kg and 200/200mg/kg) showed significant differences in number of acquisition-trial between groups (p<0.001); drug treated groups showed longer latency-period compared to control and scopolamine (p<0.001). In time-spent-in-dark-chamber treated groups spent less-time in dark-chamber as compared to control and scopolamine (p<0.001). In Morris-water-maze-task treatment groups (100/100mg/kg and 200/200mg/kg) showed significant (p<0.001) decrease in escape-latency compared with control and scopolamine. Spatial-memory-probe showed significant interaction between drugs and days (p<0.001); time-spent in platform region is significantly increased (p<0.001) in both treatment groups compared with control and scopolamine. 8-arm-radial-maze-test showed the significant increase (p<0.05) in total number of correct responses in treatment groups (100/100mg/kg and 200/200mg/kg) compared to control and scopolamine. In-vitro studies revealed acetyl-choline-esterase inhibition by 36.40% from Melissa officinalis and Panax ginseng combination. Study concluded that combination of M. officinalis and P. ginseng extracts may significantly improve the effects on memory and cognition.

Curcumin, a well-known medicinal pigment, has seen limited applications in biology despite having great potential as a therapeutic drug. Deprotonation is one of the possible ways to enhance solubility of curcumin in polar solvent. Here, we have explored the effect of deprotonation on the ultrafast dynamics of this biomolecule with the help of the time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic measurements using the femtosecond fluorescence upconversion technique. The excited state photophysics of fully deprotonated curcumin significantly differs from that of neutral curcumin. We have observed that the completely deprotonated curcumin not only has higher quantum yield, but also higher excited state lifetime and slower solvation dynamics in comparison to neutral curcumin. We propose solvation dynamics and intramolecular charge transfer as the excited state processes associated with the radiative decay of the completely deprotonated molecule, while ruling out the possibility of excited state proton exchange or proton transfer. Our results are well supported by time-dependent density-functional theory calculations. Lastly, we have also demonstrated the possibility of modulating the ultrafast dynamics of fully deprotonated curcumin using non-aqueous alkaline binary solvent mixtures. We believe our results will provide significant physical insight towards unveiling the excited state dynamics of this molecule., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Microplastics (MPs) occurrence in farmed aquatic organisms has already been the prime priority of researchers due to the food security concerns for human consumption. A number of commercially important aquaculture systems have already been investigated for MPs pollution but the mud crab (Scylla sp.) aquaculture system has not been investigated yet even though it is a highly demanded commercial species globally. This study reported the MPs pollution in the mud crab (Scylla sp.) aquaculture system for the first time. Three different stations of the selected aquafarm were sampled for water and sediment samples and MPs particles in the samples were isolated by the gravimetric analysis (0.9% w/v NaCl solution). MP abundance was visualized under a microscope along with their size, shape, and color. A subset of the isolated MPs was analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for the surface and chemical characterization respectively. The average MPs concentration was 47.5 ± 11.875 particles/g in sediment and 127.92 ± 14.99 particles/100 L in the water sample. Fibrous-shaped (72.17%) and transparent-colored (59.37%) MPs were dominant in all the collected samples. However, smaller MPs (>0.05-0.5 mm) were more common in the water samples (47.69%) and the larger (>1-5 mm) MPs were in the sediment samples (47.83%). SEM analysis found cracks and roughness on the surface of the MPs and nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene MPs were identified by FTIR analysis. PLI value showed hazard level I in water and level II in sediment. The existence of deleterious MPs particles in the mud crab aquaculture system was well evident. The other commercial mud crab aquafarms must therefore be thoroughly investigated in order to include farmed mud crabs as an environmentally vulnerable food security concern., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests. Nor Azman Kasan reports administrative support and equipment, drugs, or supplies were provided by University of Malaysia Terengganu, Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries. Nor Azman Kasan reports a relationship with Malaysia Ministry of Higher Education that includes: funding grants., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Despite advances in diagnostics and therapeutics, two-thirds of oral cancer patients present with advanced disease, which increases both the morbidity and mortality risk. Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) are released in the circulation by primary tumours and have been demonstrated to have significant correlations between their occurrence and disease progression., Objectives: To characterize the circulating tumour cells in subjects with histologically diagnosed oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)., Materials and Methods: This pilot study was undertaken with ten fresh blood samples (6 ml each). Five samples from apparently healthy individuals and five OSCC samples were cultured and subjected to flow cytometric analysis for CD44 expression. Immunostaining was done using CD44 and EpCAM markers., Result: Several cells in OSCC samples showed EpCAM and CD44 positivity following immunostaining. However, flow cytometry performed with CD44 alone was not specific for OSCC samples. Hence, proving that CD44 and EpCAM when used in conjunction can help to characterize CTCs., Conclusion: The findings of our study suggest that the demonstration of CTCs is feasible and helps in understanding of disease progression and metastatic risk. Sensitive detection of CTCs from blood samples can serve as an implicit tool in early cancer diagnosis and prognosis through liquid biopsy which in itself is minimally invasive and time-saving., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.)

Background: Human accelerated regions (HARs) are short conserved genomic sequences that have acquired significantly more nucleotide substitutions than expected in the human lineage after divergence from chimpanzees. The fast evolution of HARs may reflect their roles in the origin of human-specific traits. A recent study has reported positively-selected single nucleotide variants (SNVs) within brain-exclusive human accelerated enhancers (BE-HAEs) hs1210 (forebrain), hs563 (hindbrain) and hs304 (midbrain/forebrain). By including data from archaic hominins, these SNVs were shown to be Homo sapiens-specific, residing within transcriptional factors binding sites (TFBSs) for SOX2 (hs1210), RUNX1/3 (hs563), and FOS/JUND (hs304). Although these findings suggest that the predicted modifications in TFBSs may have some role in present-day brain structure, work is required to verify the extent to which these changes translate into functional variation., Results: To start to fill this gap, we investigate the SOX2 SNV, with both forebrain expression and strong signal of positive selection in humans. We demonstrate that the HMG box of SOX2 binds in vitro with Homo sapiens-specific derived A-allele and ancestral T-allele carrying DNA sites in BE-HAE hs1210. Molecular docking and simulation analysis indicated highly favourable binding of HMG box with derived A-allele containing DNA site when compared to site carrying ancestral T-allele., Conclusion: These results suggest that adoptive changes in TF affinity within BE-HAE hs1210 and other HAR enhancers in the evolutionary history of Homo sapiens might. have brought about changes in gene expression patterns and have functional consequences on forebrain formation and evolution., Methods: The present study employ electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) and molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations approaches., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

The assumption of the pineal hormone melatonin as a therapeutic use for COVID-19-affected people seems promising. Its intake has shown significant improvement in the patients' conditions. Higher melatonin titers in children may provide a protective shield against this disease. The hormone melatonin works as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulator, and strategically slows down the cytokine release which is observed in the COVID-19 disease, thereby improving the overall health of afflicted patients. The medical community is expected shortly to use remedial attributes like anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antivirals, etc., of melatonin in the successful prevention and cure of COVID-19 morbidity. Thus, the administration of melatonin seems auspicious in the cure and prevention of this COVID-19 fatality. Moreover, melatonin does not seem to reduce the efficiency of approved vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Melatonin increases the production of inflammatory cytokines and Th1 and enhances both humoral and cell-mediated responses. Through the enhanced humoral immunity, melatonin exhibits antiviral activities by suppressing multiple inflammatory products such as IL-6, IL1β, and tumor necrosis factor α, which are immediately released during lung injury of severe COVID-19. Hence, the novel use of melatonin along with other antivirals as an early treatment option against COVID-19 infection is suggested. Here, we have chalked out the invasion mechanisms and appropriate implications of the latest findings concerned with melatonin against the virus SARS-CoV-2. Nevertheless, within the setting of a clinical intervention, the promising compounds must go through a series of studies before their recommendation. In the clinical field, this is done in a time-ordered sequence, in line with the phase label affixed to proper protocol of trials: phase I-phase II and the final phase III. Nevertheless, while medical recommendations can only be made on the basis of reassuring evidence, there are still three issues worth considering before implementation: representativeness, validity, and lastly generalizability., (© 2023 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Microplastics pollution has become a threat to aquaculture practices, as nearly all farming systems are saturated with microplastics (MPs) particles. Current research on MPs is limited considering their effects on aquatic organisms and human health. However, limited research has been conducted on potential cures and treatments. In today's world, bioremediation of needful parameters in different culture systems is being successfully practiced by introducing floc-forming bacteria. Researchers had found that some bacteria are efficacious in degrading microplastics particles including polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polypropylene (PP). In addition, some bacteria that can form floc, are being used in fish and shellfish culture systems to treat toxic pollutants as the heterotrophic bacteria use organic compounds to grow and are effective in degrading microplastics and minimizing toxic nitrogen loads in aquaculture systems. In this review, the ability of biofloc bacteria to degrade microplastics has been summarized by collating the results of previous studies. The concept of this review may represent the efficacy of biofloc technology as an implicit tool in the fish culture system restricting the MPs contamination in water resources to safeguard ecological as well as human health., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

This experiment was designed to collect the data on antioxidants content of guppy fed with Nannochloropsis sp. inclusion diets through partial replacement of fishmeal in feed and the effect of microalgal diet on water quality parameter of the culture system. Triplicate groups of fifteen uniform sized guppy fries were kept in each rectangular glass tank (20 L) maintaining the male and female ratio to 1:2. Different experimental diets containing Nannochloropsis sp. (0%-control; 5%-N5, 10%-N10 and 15%-N15) and commercial feed (CMF) were fed to the fishes, two times a day at 5% of their body weight for 100 consecutive days. Water quality parameters were analyzed and recorded throughout the trial period. Both physical and chemical parameters of the culture tanks were measured during the trial period. At the end of experiment, random sampling was done for growth parameter assessment and further laboratory analysis. Oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation) was analyzed with the carcass sample. In this study, antioxidants content of guppy showed a significant difference among the treatment. Also, improved water quality parameters were found in the treatment tanks where guppy were fed with microalgae formulated feeds. In conclusion, results from this study indicate that selected marine microalga can increase the antioxidant properties of fish that would help in production of more hardy culture species for commercial aqua farming as well as help to maintain water quality parameters of the culture system which is now become a great problem., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2022 The Author(s).)

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare multisystem disease characterized by a triad of necrotizing granulomas affecting the upper and lower respiratory tract, vasculitis and glomerulonephritis. Oral lesions are seen in 6-13% of cases, although not life threatening but might be the first symptoms reported by the patient. Here we present a case of gingival growth, later diagnosed as GPA owing to the timely recognition by the dentist. A 33-year-old female reported for evaluation of soft tissue growth in her lower left back tooth region present for past 3 months. She had no relevant medical or family history. Clinically it looked like a benign hypertrophic gingival enlargement. The histopathological picture was suggestive of vasculitis and nonspecific granuloma formation. On further examination altered Renal Function Test and cavitating granulomas were noted in her lungs along with a positive cytoplasmic ANCA (c-ANCA) test which led to the diagnosis of GPA., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.)

Efforts to understand macroplastic pollution have primarily focused on coastal and marine environments to the exclusion of freshwater, terrestrial, and urban ecosystems. To better understand macroplastics in the environment and their sources, a dual approach examining plastic input and leakage can be used. In this study, litter aggregation pathways at 40 survey sites with varying ambient population counts in the Ganges River Basin were surveyed in pre- and postmonsoon seasons. We examine active litter leakage using transect surveys of on-the-ground items, in conjunction with assessments of single-use plastic consumer products at the point of sale. We find that sites with low populations have a significantly higher number of littered items per 1,000 people than those with mid to high populations. Over 75% of litter items were plastics or multimaterial items containing plastic, and tobacco products and plastic food wrappers were the most recorded items. There was no significant variation of litter densities pre- and postmonsoon. Most single-use plastic consumer products were manufactured in-country, but approximately 40% of brands were owned by international companies. Stratified sampling of active litter input and consumer products provides a rapid, replicable snapshot of plastic use and leakage.