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Depleting fossil fuel resources and increasing energy demand have intensified the emphasis on biofuel production cyanobacteria. In this study, 19 cyanobacterial filamentous strains were isolated from various regions of Pakistan, including the northern areas and the University of the Punjab, Lahore. Sudan black, Nile red, and BODIPY staining, together with CLSM, fluorimetry, FTIR, growth in different nitrate concentrations, and GC techniques, were used to confirm and measure the lipid and diesel contents within isolated cyanobacterial filaments. Oscillatoria sp. strain CFF-6 showed a significantly higher yield (biodiesel/biomass=35.6%). Leptolyngbya sp. strain CFF-18 showed a higher yield (biodiesel/biomass=17.1%) compared to other Leptolyngbya strains. FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) analysis was also performed. Oscillatoria are better biodiesel producers in comparison to other filamentous strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decline in female fecundity is linked to advancing chronological age. The ovarian reserve diminishes in quantity and quality as women age, impacting reproductive efficiency and the aging process in the rest of the body. NAD+ is an essential coenzyme in cellular energy production, metabolism, cell signaling, and survival. It is involved in aging and is linked to various age-related conditions. Hallmarks associated with aging, diseases, and metabolic dysfunctions can significantly affect fertility by disturbing the delicate relationship between energy metabolism and female reproduction. Enzymes such as sirtuins, PARPs, and CD38 play essential roles in NAD+ biology, which actively consume NAD+ in their enzymatic activities. In recent years, NAD+ has gained much attention for its role in aging and age-related diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders, highlighting its involvement in various pathophysiological processes. However, its impact on female reproduction is not well understood. This review aims to bridge this knowledge gap by comprehensively exploring the complex interplay between NAD+ biology and female reproductive aging and providing valuable information that could help develop plans to improve women's reproductive health and prevent fertility issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macroalgae belonging to the genus Padina are known to produce antibacterial compounds that may inhibit growth of human- and animal pathogens. Hitherto, it was unclear whether this antibacterial activity is produced by the macroalga itself or by secondary metabolite producing epiphytic bacteria. Here we report antibacterial activities of epiphytic bacteria isolated from Padina pavonica (Peacocks tail) located on northern coast of Tunisia. Eighteen isolates were obtained in pure culture and tested for antimicrobial activities. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences the isolates were closely related to Proteobacteria (12 isolates; 2 Alpha- and 10 Gammaproteobacteria), Firmicutes (4 isolates) and Actinobacteria (2 isolates). The antimicrobial activity was assessed as inhibition of growth of twelve species of pathogenic bacteria (Aeromonas salmonicida, A. hydrophila, Enterobacter xiangfangensis, Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus sp., Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sp., Vibrio alginoliticus, V. proteolyticus, V. vulnificus) and one pathogenic yeast (Candida albicans). Among the Firmicutes, isolate P8, which is closely related to Bacillus pumilus, displayed the largest spectrum of growth inhibition of the pathogenic bacteria tested. The results emphasize the potential use of P. pavonica associated antagonistic bacteria as producers of novel antibacterial compounds.

Emigration simply implies a permanent departure from one country, settlement in another or a different country and suggests a choice by the émigré not to return to the native country. Émigrés are thus differentiated from refugees, who are seen as displaced people, forced from their native land in unnatural circumstances, usually under the shadow of violence, who return once normal life resumes. However, in the case of those who left the Russian Empire in the aftermath of the Russian revolution and Civil War, the line between émigré and refugee was blurred. Most of the Russian subjects who ended up living outside the borders of the empire had been captured as military personnel or had fled and sought refuge from hunger, deprivation, political persecution and military defeat in particular. The Russian revolutions of February and October 1917, and the ensuing Civil War created a severe wave of emigration from the land of the Russian Empire into Chinese Manchuria and Western and Central Europe. Emigration life was marked by uncertainty, poverty, bitterness, a-cultural flourishing and political disputes. Relying on the above facts, and applying a clear analytical methodology, we propose to highlight the various geopolitical factors acting as drivers for such migrations. The study concludes with the results and impacts of such migrations on the ethnic composition of both emigrants as well as immigrant areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancers are caused by the defects in apoptosis process which leads to uncontrolled proliferation, therefore, most attractive drug target discovery strategy is to find ligands which have the ability to activate or regulate the apoptotic machinery. Peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear hormone receptors their over expression is observed in many tumours and contributes to chemotherapy resistance. The goal of this study to scrutinized antitumor phytochemicals from Alysicarpus bupleurifolius, Piper nigrum and Plumeria obtuse and potential energy values render from interactions between active site residues and ligands. The potential phytochemicals with significant binding affinity are ursolic acid, cis-4-decenoic acid and p-coumaric acid respectively most effective compounds in high throughput virtual screening belongs to Plumeria obtuse against PPARs associated with tumour development and progression. This modern drug designing modeling in silico approach, therefore, identifies the potential leads against over expressed tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carcinogenic effects of arsenic through consumption of contaminated water are an alarming threat and there is an emergent need to reduce extremely high levels of toxic arsenic from environment. Bacterial biofilms produce polyanionic extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) that is considered an excellent biosorbent material for the remediation of toxic metals and metalloids. This study was aimed to investigate the role of bacterial EPS in arsenic bioremediation. EPS was extracted from biofilm forming and arsenic reducer bacterial strains that were isolated from industrial waste water and characterized biochemically. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was also performed to study functional groups. Both Exiguobacterium profundum PT2 and Ochrobactrum ciceri SW1 exhibited enhanced EPS production in the presence of arsenic. Arsenic stress increased protein and carbohydrate contents in the EPS of both bacterial strains as indicated by the peaks of 1363 to 1613 and 1035 to 1218 cm−1 wavenumbers, respectively to cope with arsenic present in the surroundings. Shifting of peaks in As5+ treated samples from 1363 to 1379, 847 to 800 and 1211 to 1134 cm−1 demonstrated the involvement of proteins, carbohydrates and phosphates in the sequestration of arsenic. Scanning electron microscopic examination of EPS revealed structural alterations such as the presence of closely embedded large clumps with interstitial spaces between stacked layers of the EPS of E. profundum PT2 treated with As5+ displayed the enhanced polysaccharide content and arsenic sorption. Therefore, increased production of bacterial EPS with large number of polyanionic functional groups on its surface having tendency to sequester arsenic through electrostatic or covalent interactions presented EPS an excellent biosorbent material for arsenic bioremediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to investigate the antibacterial activity of Kapok fibers modified with AgCl/TiO2 and Chitosan colloid. A very simple, single-step (pad-dry-cure) method was used for the application of AgCl/TiO2 and Chitosan colloid on kapok fibers, the chemicals used are easily available. Different blend ratios of chitosan and AgCl/TiO2 colloid were applied to the bleached kapok fibers and antibacterial properties were assayed against gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. The treated kapok fibers were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). It was observed that the bacterial growth was significantly reduced in the samples which had a higher concentration of chitosan and AgCl/TiO2 colloid. However, a significant reduction in bacterial growth with the use of this colloid was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]