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Microbial infections are a general public health problem worldwide, and their resistance to antibiotics has increased rapidly. The prevention of microbial growth on the surface of cotton fabric is essential to control skin-related infections. In this work, we evaluated A.calamus- zinc oxide nanoparticle (AC-ZnONPs) coated cotton fabrics for antibacterial and cytotoxic activities. The formulated AC-ZnONPs were characterized by UV-spectrophotometer, SEM, EDX, FT-IR, and TEM studies. The AC-ZnONPs amalgamation into the cotton fabrics was done by the dipping technique. The antimicrobial activity and cytotoxic activity were executed by standard approaches. The results of UV-spectrophotometer, TEM, and SEM, and EDX proved the formation and existence of AC-ZnONPs on the fabrics' surface. FT-IR results demonstrated the existence of numerous functional groups. AC-ZnONPs efficiently suppressed the growth of the pathogenic microbes with a maximum inhibition at 60 μg of AC-ZnONPs against E.coli and S.aureus. The AC-ZnONPs coated fabrics also prevented microbial growth with maximum inhibition against P.aeruginosa, K.oxytoca, and A.baumanii. In addition, AC-ZnONPs efficiently suppressed the viability of SK-MEL-3 cells. Altogether, our findings disclosed that the AC-ZnONPs coated fabrics displayed excellent antimicrobial activity against the pathogenic microbes and could be utilized in the medical fields in the future.

The family Calliphoridae is a group of heterogenous calyptrate flies with a worldwide distribution including species of ecological, veterinary, medical, and forensic importance. Notorious for their parasitic habits, the larvae of many blowflies are characterised – like some other dipteran larvae – by their ability to develop in animal flesh. When parasitism affects a living host, it is termed “myiasis”. This has led the Calliphoridae to be considered as a pivotal family in its relationship with a man. Nevertheless, even after more than 50 years of research, the phylogenetic relationships among calliphorid subfamilies together with the evolutionary origin of myiasis remain unclear. In order to elucidate these problems, we constructed three phylogenetic trees by using nucleotide sequence data from cytochrome oxidase subunit one (COI), representing a mitochondrial conservative gene, and nuclear 28S subunit of ribosomal RNA gene (28S rRNA) in order to interpret the evolutionary profile of myiasis in the family Calliphoridae. The sequenced data represented species associated with ectoparasitic life-styles, either saprophagy or facultative and obligate parasitism. A total number of 50 accessions were collected for 28S rRNA, 56 for COI, and 38 for combined sequences phylogeny. Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA) software was used to align 2197 nucleotide positions of 28S rRNA and 1500 nucleotide positions of COI with a gap opening penalties and gap extension penalties equalling 20 and 0.1 respectively. The results reveal the non-monophyly of the family Calliphoridae despite the stable monophyletic status of the Chrysomyinae, Luciliinae, and Auchmeromyiinae. Also, our findings recommend ranking the Toxotarsinae as a separate family. Furthermore, comparative analysis of the phylogenetic trees shows that the habit of obligatory myiasis originated independently more than five times. This strengthens our hypothesis that the origin of eating fresh meat is a case of convergent evolution that has taken place after speciation events millions of years ago. Finally, estimating the divergence dates between lineages from molecular sequences provides a better chance of understanding their evolutionary biology.

Energy storage research is focusing new cost effective and high specific capacitance electrode materials to meet the requirements of the energy demands. Herein, we studied hydrothermal derived hybrid NiO-CoO nanocomposite for supercapacitor applications. Electrochemical analysis of hybrid NiO-CoO nanocomposite of different reaction time was characterized and the obtained corresponding specific capacitance values were 168, 169 and 298 F/g respectively at 10 mV/s. Hybrid electrodes, suitable incorporation of CoO with NiO process increasingly enhanced electronic conductivity and electrochemical performance. 94.30% cyclic performance was maintained over 5000 cycles of charge discharge in galvanostatic charge discharge (GCD) profile.

In this study, the role of pH in a material's phase, morphology, and electrochemical properties was thoroughly investigated by producing lanthanum molybdates. The investigated samples were designed as electrodes for the electrochemical water oxidation process to produce clean energy in a half-cell fabrication. An excellent electrochemical water oxidation was demonstrated by La2Mo2O7 at pH7, which showed an outstanding 241 ± 1 mA/g current density with very low (197 mV) overpotential. This is a quite good output obtained from such binary metal oxides. Furthermore, lower Tafel slope (59 mV/dec) was observed for the same candidate along with early oxygen evolution reaction (OER) because of ion migrations. Interestingly, 99% activity retention was evidenced for the optimized candidate over 16 h in a half-cell design. The findings of this study may generate great interest among young researchers in developing novel bimetal oxides for robust and sustainable water electrolysis to produce clean energy.

Candida infections and related mortality have become a challenge to global health. Nontoxic and natural bioactive compounds from plants are regarded as promising candidates to inhibit these multidrug resistant strains. In the present study, in vitro assays and in silico molecular docking approach was combined to evaluate the inhibitory effect of crude extracts from Allium ampeloprasum and its variety A. porrum on Candida pathogens. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids in higher quantity. Spectral studies of the extracts support the presence of phenols, flavonoids and organosulfur compounds. Aqueous extract of A. ampeloprasum showed a total antioxidant capacity of 68 ± 1.7 mg AAE/ g and an IC50 value of 0.88 ± 2.1 mg/ml was obtained for DPPH radicals scavenging assay. C. albicans were highly susceptible (19.9 ± 1.1 mm) when treated with aqueous A. ampeloprasum extract. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were within the range of 19–40 μg/ml and the results were significant (p ≤ 0.05). In silico molecular docking studies demonstrated that bioactive phytocompounds of A. ampeloprasum and A. porrum efficiently interacted with the active site of Secreted aspartyl proteinase 2 enzyme that is responsible for the virulence of pathogenic yeasts. Rosmarinic acid and Myricetin exhibited low binding energies and higher number of hydrogen bond interactions with the protein target. Thus the study concludes that A. ampeloprasum and A. porrum that remain as underutilized vegetables in the Allium genus are potential anti-candida agents and their pharmacologically active compounds must be considered as competent candidates for drug discovery.

Chitosan is a linear polysaccharide and non-toxic bioactive polymer with a wide variety of applications due to its functional properties such as ease of modification, and biodegradability. In this investigation, magnetic cores (Fe3O4) were synthesized using a fabrication method involving coprecipitation of Fe2+ and Fe3+. Then the magnetic nanoparticles were encapsulated by chitosan layers. In the next step, magnetite-gold composite nanoparticles were synthesized with spherical shapes and sizes ranging from 20 to 30 nm, using sodium citrate as a natural reducing agent. The morphological and physicochemical features of the material were determined using several advanced techniques like FT-IR, ICP analysis, FESEM, EDS, XRD, TEM, XPS and VSM. In the biological part of the present study, the cell viability of Fe3O4, HAuCl4, and Fe3O4@CS/AuNPs was very low against human colorectal carcinoma cell lines i.e. Ramos.2G6.4C10, HCT-8 [HRT-18], HCT 116, and HT-29, human gastric cancer cell lines i.e. MKN45, AGS, and KATO III, and human pancreatic cancer cell lines i.e. PANC-1, AsPC-1, and MIA PaCa-2. The IC50 of Fe3O4@CS/AuNPs against Ramos.2G6.4C10, HCT-8 [HRT-18], HCT 116, HT-29, MKN45, AGS, KATO III, PANC-1, AsPC-1, and MIA PaCa-2 cell lines were 385, 429, 264, 286, 442, 498, 561, 513, 528, and 425 μg/mL, respectively. Thereby, the best cytotoxicity results of our Fe3O4@CS/AuNPs were observed in the case of the HCT 116 cell line. Seemingly, the present nanoparticles may be used for the treatment of several types of gastro-duodenal cancers especially colon, gastric, and pancreatic cancers in near future.

Zerovalent Iron Nanoparticles (MC-ZVI NPs) were synthesized from Musa coocinea peel extract as reducing and stabilizing agent using a novel synthesis technique. The synthesis of MC-ZVI NPs was confirmed using UV-vis spectroscopy showing a sharp absorption peak at 341 nm. Further the chemical and structural characterization of MC-ZVI NPs were performed using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Dynamic Light Scattering technique (DLS). FTIR analysis revealed the presence of phytochemical molecules associated with the MC-ZVI NPs. SEM analysis revealed the synthesized MC-ZVI NPs were in spherical shaped, while DLS analysis confirmed the synthesis of poly dispersed and non-homogenous MC-ZVI NPs. The antimicrobial efficacy of MC-ZVI NPs synthesized using Musa coccinea peel extract was tested against bacterial (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Bacillus subtilis) and fungal (Aspergillus niger) pathogens. But MC-ZVI NPs exhibited maximum of 19 mm zone of inhibition against B. subtilis and A. niger. Further the free radical scavenging activity MC-ZVI NPs was confirmed using DPPH, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, FRAP assay showing displayed effective antioxidant activity. Thus, the present idea will give a fast and cost effective approach to synthesize MC-ZVI NPs with antimicrobial property for application in biomedical purposes.

This research was designed to evaluate the AgNPs synthesizing potential of methanol leaf extract of Justicia adhatoda and assessed their potential against multi-drug resistant microbes and in anticancer activity. The results obtained from this study showed that the methanol leaf extract of J. adhatoda has the potential to synthesized AgNPs, and it was initially confirmed by color (brown) change and observed sharp peak at 410 nm under UV-vis analysis. The FTIR analysis confirmed that the presence of functional groups involved in the fabrication of AgNPs. The XRD and EDX analyses confirm the crystalline structure and elemental composition of biofabricated AgNPs. The SEM and TEM analyses confirmed that the synthesized AgNPs were spherical and 5 to 20 nm in size. Furthermore, the synthesized AgNPs have outstanding antimicrobial activities against multi-drug resistant bacteria (S. pyrogens, E. coli, V. cholerae, S. aureus, and K. pneumoniae) and fungi (Penicillium sp., A. niger, C. albicans, Rhizobus sp., and A. flavus). Interestingly, the AgNPs showed remarkable anticancer activity (82.4%) against the cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) at the concentration of 100 µg mL-1 and LD50 value was found as 80 µg mL-1. These results concludes that J. adhatoda has the potential to synthesize AgNPs has remarkable biomedical applications.

We herein report the facile synthesis of ternary hybrid g-C3N4@Ag-ZnO nanocomposites (NCs) via a simple physical mixing method. The synthesized g-C3N4@Ag-ZnO NCs were successfully characterized using different spectroscopic techniques such as X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), UV-Visible (UV–Vis), steady-state photoluminescence (PL), and electron spin resonance (ESR). Antibacterial performance of the synthesized NCs was evaluated using agar well diffusion assay against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus salivarius, and Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, the photocatalytic activity was determined against methylene blue (MB) dye under sunlight irradiation. Results demonstrated that the ternary hybrid g-C3N4@Ag-ZnO NCs showed an excellent Z-scheme photocatalytic degradation of MB and significant antibacterial performance against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as compared to Ag-ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), g-C3N4 nanosheets (NSs), g-C3N4@ZnO NCs and (5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 60%, and 75%) g-C3N4@Ag-ZnO NCs. Moreover, the ternary hybrid g-C3N4@Ag-ZnO NCs exhibited tremendous stability and recyclability with a high degree of photocatalytic MB degradation for ten successive catalytic cycles. ESR experiment further revealed that the superoxide (.O2−) and hydroxyl (.OH) radicals were the leading species liable for MB deterioration. The superior photocatalytic activity and exceptionally improved antibacterial performance of the ternary hybrid g-C3N4@Ag-ZnO NCs attributed to the interface's synergic effect developed between Ag-ZnO NPs and g-C3N4 NSs. Hence, our current study recommends that the synthesized ternary hybrid g-C3N4@Ag-ZnO NCs could prove a valuable photocatalytic system for the degradation of organic pollutants and disinfectant for destroying the pathogenic bacterial species from wastewater.

Objectives A field trial was carried out in Kashmir valley to determine the persistence of fenazaquin 10EC (Magister) in Red Delicious variety of apple at recommended (0.004%) and double the recommended (0.008%) application rates. Methods The spray was conducted one month prior to harvest. The plants treated with simple tap water were treated as control. Samples were collected at 0, 3, 7, 10, 15, 20 days and harvest. The procedure followed for extraction and cleanup was that of Luke et al. (1985) modified by Sharma (2007) and the final analysis was carried out on a Varian 450 (Walnut Creek, CA, USA) gas chromatograph (GLC) equipped with Thermionic Specific detector (TSD). Results After computation of data, the initial deposit was recorded as 3.18 ± 0.03 μg g − 1 and 6.98 ± 0.08 μg g − 1 at two concentrations, respectively. Fenazaquin (0.004%) dissipated to 96.91 per cent in 20 days after application and was not detectable beyond this period. Fenazaquin (0.008%) however, persisted upto 30 days recording 95.84 per cent dissipation at that time. Conclusions The progressive dissipation of fenazaquin (0.004%) and fenazaquin (0.008%) residues down to their tolerance limits suggested a waiting period of 18.55 and 30.49 days with a half-life period of 3.62 and 4.12 days, respectively. The terminal residue of fenazaquin at the lower rate was below maximum residue limit (MRL) set by European Union, however above MRL at the higher rate.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Up to date, there has been no specific cure to treat the disease. Indonesia is one of the countries that is still fighting to control virus transmission. Yet, at the same time, Indonesia has a rich biodiversity of natural medicinal products that potentially become an alternative cure. Thus, this study examined the potency of a natural medicinal product, Sulawesi propolis compounds produced by Tetragonula sapiens, inhibiting angiotensin-converting activity enzyme-2 (ACE-2), a receptor of SARS-CoV-2 in the human body. In this study, molecular docking was done to analyze the docking scores as the representation of binding affinity and the interaction profiles of propolis compounds toward ACE-2. The results illustrated that by considering the docking score and the presence of interaction with targeted sites, five compounds, namely glyasperin A, broussoflavonol F, sulabiroins A, (2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxy-8-prenylflavanone and isorhamnetin are potential to inhibit the binding of ACE-2 and SARS-CoV-2, with the docking score of −10.8, −9.9, −9.5, −9.3 and −9.2 kcal/mol respectively. The docking scores are considered to be more favorable compared to MLN-4760 as a potent inhibitor.

Betulinic acid is one such natural pentacyclic triterpenoid compound, holding various pharmacological properties but its poor bioavailability is the only limitation. One of the biological macromolecules such as Lignin is a plant-derived aromatic, eco-friendly and low-cost polymer that certainly self-assembles into nano-sized colloids. Therefore, onto the current investigation, we increased the bioavailability of betulinic acid by coating on to a nanopolymer prepared with poly vinyl alcohol, lignins and methyl acrylate. Betulinic acid loaded polyvinyl alcohol/ethylacrylate grafted Lignin polymer (PVA/Lig-g-MA) nanoformulation was characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM and TEM analysis and also the drug entrapment, in vitro drug releasing capacity was done to examine the efficiency of the nanoformulation of a drug. The MTT assay was evaluated the cytotoxicity of synthesized nanoformulation against normal endothelial cells HUVEC and HAPEC to confirm the side effects of the drug. The anti-atherosclerotic property of the nanoformulation was ascertained in both in vitro condition (with HUVEC and HPAEC) and in vivo studies (with Wistar rats). As a result, the characterization studies and in vitro studies clearly confirmed the Betulinic acid loaded PVA/Lig-g-MA nanoformulation is an ideal nanopolymer and it doesn’t cause any cytotoxic effect in normal endothelial cells. It also decreased the lipopolysaccharides induced inflammation through the down-regulation of NFκB and MAP/JNK signaling molecule expressions. Following in vivo results confirmed the synthesized nanoformulation effectively decreased the hyperchlostremia, inflammation and vasoconstriction, which induced over high fat diet. The results of histopathological analysis of cardiac tissues also confirmed the cardioprotective role of synthesized nanoformulation. Overall, both the in vitro and in vivo studies authentically proven the Betulinic acid loaded PVA/Lig-g-MA nanoformulation would be a potent cost effective anti-atherosclerotic nanodrug.

Objectives Alcohols oxidation is one of the important organic transformation in fine chemical industries. Prevailing processes are hazardous due to involvement of stoichiometric oxidants and homogeneous catalysts. In the present work, oxidation of cinnamyl alcohol was carried out using unconventional, affordable, and feasible heterogeneous catalysts. Method Copper-titania (Cu-Ti) nanoparticles were prepared and supported on functionalized multi walled carbon nanotubes (F-CNTs). Various instrumental techniques such as X-ray Diffractometery (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Analysis and Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) surface area analyzer were used to characterize the synthesized catalysts. Both catalysts; Cu-Ti and Cu-Ti/F-CNTs were evaluated for their potencies in conversion of cinnamyl alcohol (CnOH) to cinnamaldehyde (CnHO). Different derivatives of CnOH (with attached electron withdrawing and donating groups) were also oxidized in presence of prepared catalysts to determine the substituents effect and get maximum yield. The prepared catalyst was used five times to determine its reuseablity. Results The presence of copper and titania in the synthesized catalyst structure was confirmed through XRD and EDX analysis. The agglomeration level was confirmed from SEM analysis. Little reduction in surface area on parental carbon nanotubes was observed due to deposited metals. Appreciable yield of CnHO were obtained at the optimal reaction conditions: temperature = 70 °C, catalyst amount = 0.1 g, pO2 = 760 Torr, substrate solution concentration and volume = 1 mmol CnOH/10 mL ethanol, stirring speed = 900 rpm, and time interval = 60 min. The conversion rate was improved to 100% through attachment of electron donating groups at ortho and para position of parental compound benzene ring. No appreciable decrease in activity of catalyst were observed after 4th cycle. Conclusion Cu-Ti/F-CNTs showed excellent catalytic activity, selectivity, true heterogeneous nature, low cost, and recyclability, hence it could be used as a potent catalyst for CnOH to CnHO conversion.