Search

The transfer matrix method is employed to study the electron tunneling in GaAs/GaAlAs triangular double-barrier heterostructure. The barrier width enhances the tunneling lifetime of electrons. Without Γ – X crossover in the conduction band, the resonance energy is almost constant whereas the tunneling lifetime of electrons increases as the pressure increases. Above the critical pressure, Γ – X crossover takes place. With Γ – X crossover, the energy of resonance decreases. The transparency peak becomes wider at high pressure and the electrons move with high velocity in the heterostructure at resonance when the heterostructure is subjected to high pressure.

In this work, pristine nickel diselenide (NiSe2) and Co induced nickel diselenide (NiCoSe2) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared through a facile hydrothermal method. The prepared NPs were examined using the XRD, FT-IR, SEM/EDX, TEM/SAED, XPS, VSM and cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis. XRD patterns confirmed the cubic crystal structure of the prepared samples. In FTIR, a minor stretching vibration were observed in pure NiSe2 and NiCoSe2 samples. SEM images exhibited spherical ball like clusters, agreed well with TEM results. XPS results confirmed the chemical compositions and binding energy of pure and NiCoSe2 NPs. Room temperature hysteresis measurement revealed that the sample is belonging to ferromagnetic nature and the increased saturation magnetization value is due to the synergetic effect of Ni and Co. The magnetic studies of the present work suggesting that these samples have potential for data storage applications. The specific capacitance value for the pure is found to be 384 F g−1 and increased to 860 F g−1 for NiCoSe2 at the scan rate of 2 mVs−1, showed that the synergetic effect of bimetals has improved the electrochemical performance of NiSe2 nanoparticles.

Copper Ferrite (CuFe2O4) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by the combustion-assisted method using glycine as a fuel to evaluate their photocatalytic degradation efficiency for tetracycline (TC) under visible light. Several analytical methods were used to confirm the synthesized CuFe2O4 NPs. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to check the phase’s structure and purity, FT-IR was used to find out what functional groups were present, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) was used to look at the optical properties, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to see the structure’s shape. These results confirm the formation of highly crystalline CuFe2O4 NPs. The photocatalytic degradation of TC was studied using visible light and the effect of parameters such as the concentration of the catalyst (0.5 g/L to 2.5 g/L), initial TC concentration (10– 50 mg/L) and irradiation time (30–150 min). The degradation efficiency reached a maximum value of 95.8 % for a 150 min irradiation under the optimum condition of the photocatalytic activity was further raised by 25 % by the addition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The CuFe2O4 NPs had rather high recyclability after the photocatalytic process, they had 90 % of their initial activity, which was tested after the fifth run. This study shows that green synthesized CuFe2O4 NPs are potentially useful as reusable visible-light photocatalysts for breaking down drugs, specifically tetracycline, through oxidation in water.

This study investigates the comparative synthesis methods and electrochemical performance of nickel molybdate (NiMoO4) nanoparticles, focusing on their potential applications in supercapacitors. Nickel molybdate nanoparticles were synthesized using co-precipitation and microwave combustion methods. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including UV-DRS, XRD, FT-IR, PL, SEM, and TGA, were employed to analyse the structural, optical, morphology and thermal properties of the samples. Electrochemical evaluations revealed that the co-precipitated nanoparticles (NMCP) exhibited a specific capacitance of 168 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g-1. In contrast, the microwave-combusted nanoparticles (NMMC) demonstrated superior performance with a specific capacitance of 224 F g−1 at the 1 A g-1 current density. These findings indicate that the microwave combustion method produces nickel molybdate nanoparticles with enhanced electrochemical performance, making them more suitable for high-performance supercapacitor applications.

The increasing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) necessitates abrupt attention to discovering a new class of antimicrobials. In this study, we made efforts to prepare some fluoro-phenyl tetrahydrofurans-based DNA gyrase inhibitors as anti-microbial agents. To obtain the title compounds difluoro phenyl tetrahydrofurans (1-12), we used fluorophenyl-tetrahydrofuran and methyl benzenesulfonate to react with isoxazole derivatives and heterocyclic compounds bearing secondary amines in the presence of dimethylformamide (DMF) and sodium hydride (NaH) or potassium carbonate (K2CO3). The compounds were obtained in moderate to excellent yields and were characterized with FTIR, HRMS, NMR, etc. Among all compounds (1-12), compounds 1, 2, 11, and 12 were active against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria at a low concentration (MIC ranged between 1.25 and 9.75 μg/mL) and displayed low toxicity towards mammalian cells. We testified the in vitro DNA gyrase inhibitory potential for these compounds. A molecular docking study and an ADMET assessment study were carried out to understand the mode of interaction of ligand-DNA gyrase. In conclusion, we screened the compounds 1, 2, 11, and 12 for further clinical and pre-clinical studies.

Moisture stress poses a significant threat to global agriculture, compromising crop yields and food security. In the quest for sustainable solutions, endophytic microorganisms have emerged as promising candidates for enhancing plant resilience to drought. The study's primary goal was to analyse the significance of bacterial endophytes, both rhizobial and passenger endophytes, in alleviating the effects of moisture stress. Here, PEG 6000 was used to test the drought endurance of the ten identified rhizobial and passenger endophytes. Rhizobium pusense S6R2, Enterobacter cloacae S23 and Bacillus tequilensis NBB13 were selected as best performing endophytes as they showed high tolerance of poly ethylene glycol (PEG) and maximum plant growth promoting traits like Indole Acetic Acid, exopolysaccharide production, biofilm formation, 1-aminocyclopropane1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity, siderophore, zinc and phosphorous solubilisation even in PEG induced moisture stress condition. Metabolite analysis revealed that twenty-four significant compounds mostly belong to fatty acyls, amino acids, peptides, polyketides, and benzenoids were found in the root exudates of groundnut treated with endophytes. The best-performing endophytes were used in a pot culture experiment, with groundnut as the test crop. The current study found that co-inoculation of Rhizobium pusense S6R2 and Enterobacter cloacae S23 significantly increased nodule number, growth, photosynthetic pigment, anti-oxidant enzymes, and osmolyte under moisture stressed conditions when compared to other treatments. As a result, co-inoculation of Rhizobium and entophytic bacteria may be recommended as a bio-inoculant for groundnut for moisture stress alleviation after confirming the results in field evaluation.

Abstract Aporosa cardiosperma is a plant species majorly found in the Indian Western Ghats that belongs to the phyllanthaceae family with ethnobotanical importance. Using a Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectrometer (FT-IR) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) for evaluating leaf extracts of A. cardiosperma, significant functional groups and metabolite constituents were determined, and its total flavonoid, phenol, and tannin content were quantified. Further, its antibacterial efficacy was investigated against microorganisms that cause fish and human disease and are resistant to common antibiotics, including Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Regarding the outcomes of GC–MS analysis, the primary metabolites in the A. cardiosperma leaf extracts were heneicosane (57.06%), silane (13.60%), 1-heptadecene (10.09%), 3-hexadecene (9.99%), and pentadecane (9.54%). In comparison to other solvents, methanolic extract of A. cardiosperma leaves had increased phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin content; these findings are consistent with in vitro antioxidant potential and obtained that the methanolic extract (100 µg/mL) exhibited the higher percentage of inhibition in DPPH (82.35%), FRAP (86.20%), metal chelating (72.32%), and ABTS (86.06%) antioxidant assays respectively. Similar findings were found regarding the antibacterial efficacy against pathogenic bacteria. Comparatively, to other extracts, methanolic extracts showed more significant antibacterial activity at a lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value (250 µg/mL), whilst ethyl acetate and hexane solvent extracts of A. cardiosperma leaves had higher MIC values 500 µg/mL and 1000 µg/mL respectively. The antimicrobial potential was validated by investigating bacterial growth through the extracts acquired MICs and sub-MICs range. Bacterial growth was completely inhibited at the determined MIC range. In conclusion, A. cardiosperma leaf extract's phytochemical fingerprint has been determined, and its potent antibacterial and antioxidant activities were discovered. These findings of the current study will pave the way for developing herbal treatments from A. cardiosperma for various fish and human diseases.

Abstract The Schockley–Quisser (SQ) limit of 28.64% is distant from the Sb2S3 solar cells’ record power conversion efficiency (PCE), which is 8.00%. Such poor efficiency is mostly owing to substantial interface-induced recombination losses caused by defects at the interfaces and misaligned energy levels. The endeavor of this study is to investigate an efficient Sb2S3 solar cell structure via accurate analytical modeling. The proposed model considers different recombination mechanisms such as non-radiative recombination, Sb2S3/CdS interface recombination, Auger, SRH, tunneling-enhanced recombination, and their combined impact on solar cell performance. This model is verified against experimental work (Glass/ITO/CdS/Sb2S3/Au) where a good coincidence is achieved. Several parameters effects such as thickness, doping, electronic affinity, and bandgap are scrutinized. The effect of both bulk traps located in CdS and Sb2S3 on the electrical outputs of the solar cell is analyzed thoroughly. Besides, a deep insight into the effect of interfacial traps on solar cell figures of merits is gained through shedding light into their relation with carriers’ minority lifetime, diffusion length, and surface recombination velocity. Our research findings illuminate that the primary contributors to Sb2S3 degradation are interfacial traps and series resistance. Furthermore, achieving optimal band alignment by fine-tuning the electron affinity of CdS to create a Spike-like conformation is crucial for enhancing the immunity of the device versus the interfacial traps. In our study, the optimized solar cell configuration (Glass/ITO/CdS/Sb2S3/Au) demonstrates remarkable performance, including a high short-circuit current (J SC ) of 47.9 mA/cm2, an open-circuit voltage (V OC ) of 1.16 V, a fill factor (FF) of 54%, and a notable improvement in conversion efficiency by approximately 30% compared to conventional solar cells. Beyond its superior performance, the optimized Sb2S3 solar cell also exhibits enhanced reliability in mitigating interfacial traps at the CdS/Sb2S3 junction. This improved reliability can be attributed to our precise control of band alignment and the fine-tuning of influencing parameters.

Underwater welding is a challenging and intricate technique. An Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) has been specifically created for this task. This study encompasses all the calculations and computational techniques related to both the basic UUV and the UUV equipped with the underwater welding mechanism. The design and construction of this UUV are influenced by the hydrodynamic efficiency of fish, specifically Rhinaancylostoma. The identification of the unique parts, such as the wing, stabilizers, propellers, and fuselage welding equipment, is also achieved using conventional analytical methods. An examination of the suggested model using hydrodynamics has been conducted for both the forward and the Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) cases. The magnitudes of the forces exerted in all directions around the UUV with the welding mechanism are also recorded. A UUV was constructed, and hydrodynamic evaluations were carried out to address the challenges encountered during underwater welding. The distributions of pressure and velocity, as well as the forces acting in all three directions, are part of the outcomes of the hydrodynamic analysis. A maximum pressure of 3329.160 Pa and a maximum velocity of 3.989 m/s is achieved in the forward scenario, with a minimum total deformation of 0.0561 mm. There is a maximum velocity of 6.119 m/s and a maximum pressure of 4940 Pa in the VTOL scenario, in addition to the least deformation of 0.126 mm, when compared to the analysis performed amidst the other materials. With its minimal overall deformation, equivalent elastic strain, and strain energy of, GY 70 Epoxy stands out as the optimal material choice for both forward and VTOL cases. Following the study, it is evident that the suggested model is capable of effectively addressing the stated problem of performing underwater welding operations in underwater environments, autonomously and effectively.

Purpose: To critically review the clinical factors, dosimetry, and their correlation with early outcomes in patients with chordomas and chondrosarcomas treated with pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton beam therapy (PBT). Methods and Materials: Consecutive 64 patients diagnosed with chordoma or chondrosarcoma treated at our center were studied. Patient, tumor, and treatment-related factors including dosimetry were captured. Early and late toxicities and early outcomes were evaluated and correlated with clinical and dosimetric factors using standard statistical tools. Results: The median age of patients was 39 years (range, 4-74 years), and most common site was skull base (47%), followed by sacrum (31%) and mobile spine (22%). The median prescription dose to the high-risk clinical target volumes for chordoma and chondrosarcoma was 70.4 cobalt gray equivalent (CGE) and 66 CGE at 2.2 CGE per fraction, respectively. At presentation, 55% presented after a recurrence/progression of which 17% had received previous radiation and 32% had a significant neural compression. At the time of PBT, 25% of patients had suboptimal neural separation. Three-fourths of patients had at least an acceptable target coverage. Although 11% had a tier 1 compromise (gross tumor volume [GTV] D98 < 90%), 14% had a tier 2 compromise (GTVD98 < 59 CGE). With a median follow-up of 27.5 months, 2-year local control and progression-free survival was 86.7% and 81.8% for chordomas and 87.5% and 77.1% for chondrosarcomas, respectively. Residual GTV of >25 cm3 and a tier 2 compromise were associated with inferior local control (hazard ratio [HR], 0.19; P = .019; HR, 0.061; P = .022, respectively) and progression-free survival (HR, 0.128; P = 0.014; HR, 0.194; P =.025, respectively) on multivariate analysis. Despite multiple surgeries, a majority presented with recurrent disease and previous radiations and grade 3 acute and late toxicities were limited and comparable with others in the literature. Conclusions: Despite multiple surgeries, adequate neural separation was challenging to achieve. Severe dosimetric compromise (GTV D98 < 59 CGE) led to inferior early outcomes. Adequate neural separation is key to avoiding dosimetric compromise and achieving optimal local control.

In this present study, pure Co3O4 and Cu-substituted Co3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by a simple co-precipitation method and their structural, morphological, optical, and electrochemical properties were assessed. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated that the synthesized samples had a cubic structure with the formation of a secondary phase (CuO) was detected at a higher Cu concentration. The average crystallite was decreased with increasing Cu content. Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) analysis revealed that the presence of vibrational bands in Cu-substituted Co3O4 NPs. The morphological study of the pure Co3O4 and Cu-substituted Co3O4 NPs revealed that the hexagonal structure with porous morphology confirmed by Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). High resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) analysis with spotty diffraction rings showed that pure Co3O4 and Cu-substituted Co3O4 NPs were polycrystalline in nature. The optical properties of synthesized samples exhibited strong absorption edges, and bandgap values were found to be increased from 3.60 to 3.75 eV. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was employed to investigate the electrochemical properties of the synthesized materials. The CV curves exhibited pseudocapacitive behavior, and 2 % Cu substituted Co3O4 electrode had a high higher specific capacitance value than pure Co3O4 electrode.

Fish meal (FM) remains an essential protein source with certain limitations like cost and sustainability in the aquaculture industry. Underutilized agricultural wastes with nutraceutical potential could be the feasible solution. This study paved the way for new avenues in the form of economically sustainable low-cost feed for betterment of aquaculture, by evaluating watermelon rind (WMR) as fish meal replacement in diets for Labeo rohita (rohu). Dried water melon rind was incorporated into five isonitrogenous diets (control, 25% fish meal replacement (FMR), 50% FMR, 75% FMR, and 100% FMR then fed to triplicates groups of L. rohita fingerlings. The experiment was conducted for 60 days. There were significant (p

The green bean pods of Phaseolus vulgaris L. are traditionally used as a folk remedy for treating calcium oxalate kidney stones. The current research aimed to develop a syrup formulation containing green bean pod extract for anti-urolithiatic activity. The syrup was prepared using a simple blending method and optimized through a central composite design (CCD) with two independent variables: the ratio of pod juice (PJ) to sugar solution (SS) ranging from 1:0.5 to 1:1.5, and the percentage of CMC from 0.2% to 0.4% w/v. These variables were analyzed for their impact on viscosity (CP) and sedimentation percentage, helping to identify the best formulation out of 13 variants. The finalized formulation (F-opt) underwent assessment for physicochemical characteristics such as organoleptic properties, viscosity, density, sedimentation rate, and stability. Additionally, a microbiological assessment was performed utilizing the spread plate method. Further, it was evaluated for in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo anti-urolithiatic activity in rat models for 28 days and compared with that of the reference standard (Cystone syrup). Additionally, acute toxicity was assessed in albino Swiss mice. Histopathological evaluations were then conducted on the kidneys of the Wistar rats that had been used for the in vivo studies, providing insight into the treatment effects on kidney tissue structure. The optimized formulation (F-opt) was a green, viscous, clear syrup with a pH of 5.8, a viscosity of 256.38 CP, a density of 1.31 g/ml, and a sedimentation rate of 0.69%. The optimized formulation was found to be stable, showing no significant changes in physicochemical and microbiological properties. The results of the in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo anti-urolithiatic studies indicated that the optimized formulation effectively inhibited the aggregation of calcium oxalate. The acute toxicity studies revealed no mortality or adverse effects for both the optimized formulation and pure bean pod juice at a dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight. Histopathological examination revealed that rats treated with the optimized formulation exhibited a significant reduction in both the number and size of calcium oxalate deposits within various parts of the renal tubules. It can be concluded that the syrupy formulation of Phaseolus vulgaris L. green bean pod extract demonstrated significant anti-urolithiatic activity. This activity could be due to its diuretic properties and its ability to inhibit the formation of calcium oxalate crystals. However, limitations of the study included a lack of elucidation of the mechanism and limited generalizability of the findings.

Earthworm growth and reproduction is influenced by the environmental variables such as temperature, moisture, substrate and nutrient content in vermibed materials. By using different kind of dietary supplements with the conventional vermibed materials raise the development and reproductive potential of the earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae. The current study evaluated on particular periods such as 10th, 45th, and 90th day in vermibins with dietary supplements in the ratio of 1:1 the 50% Ficus religiosa leaf litters + 50% cow dung (T1); 50% Lawsonia inermis leaf litters + 50% cow dung (T2); 50% sugarcane bagasse + 50% cow dung (T3) was used and 100% cow dung serves as control (C). Among these vermibins, T3 vermibin treated earthworms had the highest growth, reproduction, highest sperm count in the seminal vesicle, hatching success, and also increased the metabolic profile of earthworms such as protein, carbohydrate, and lipids in tissues and seminal vesicle. Compared to the other nutritional supplements, the present study result revealed that cow dung and sugarcane bagasse together have a significant positive impact on earthworm growth and reproduction. This study emphasized on the enhancement of the reproductive capacity of the earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae by incorporating different dietary supplements with the traditional vermicomposting methods. This also helps to analyse the influence of the metabolic profile in the growth and development and even on the reproductive index of the earthworm which is been observed on three different period: 10th, 45th and 90th day of experimentation. In the current research multi output can be ensured by integrating with production of crops, vermicompost, earthworm growth and waste management. This present study also represents that the open dumping of such a huge quantity of dung materials and plant and animal wastes will create environmental pollution and benefits for soil fertility improvement.

For Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems, the most significant problem is the peak-to-average power ratio. The utilisation of partial transmission sequence, often known as PTS, is an efficient method for reducing PAPR. When it comes to minimizing the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) Systems, PTS is one of the most effective approaches that may be used. Due to the substantial data load, using peak-to-average power ratio in OFDM is challenging. The most crucial problem with OFDM is achieving better results by lowering PAPR. Provide a PTS in this research that is based on the Chaotic Biogeography Based Optimization (CBBO) algorithm to effectively address the high PAPR issue that exists in Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM) waveforms using Hermitian Symmetry property is used. The Hermitian symmetry is utilised in order to acquire a real-valued time-domain signal. Phase rotation factor combinations are carried out in an effective and optimal manner through the utilisation of an innovative combination of optimization techniques. In comparison to conventional optimization techniques, a new hybrid optimization offers quick convergence quality and minimal complexity. When compared to traditional PTS methods such traditional GFDM and OFDM-PTS, experimental results demonstrate that the suggested CBBO-PTS technique significantly improves on minimizing PAPR.

Purpose: To compare the late gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary toxicities (GU) estimated using multivariable normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models, between pencil-beam scanning proton beam therapy (PBT) and helical tomotherapy (HT) in patients of high-risk prostate cancers requiring pelvic nodal irradiation (PNI) using moderately hypofractionated regimen. Materials and Methods: Twelve consecutive patients treated with PBT at our center were replanned with HT using the same planning goals. Six late GI and GU toxicity domains (stool frequency, rectal bleeding, fecal incontinence, dysuria, urinary incontinence, and hematuria) were estimated based on the published multivariable NTCP models. The ΔNTCP (difference in absolute NTCP between HT and PBT plans) for each of the toxicity domains was calculated. A one-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to analyze distribution of data, and either a paired t test or a Wilcoxon matched-pair signed rank test was used to test statistical significance. Results: Proton beam therapy and HT plans achieved adequate target coverage. Proton beam therapy plans led to significantly better sparing of bladder, rectum, and bowel bag especially in the intermediate range of 15 to 40 Gy, whereas doses to penile bulb and femoral heads were higher with PBT plans. The average ΔNTCP for grade (G)2 rectal bleeding, fecal incontinence, stool frequency, dysuria, urinary incontinence, and G1 hematuria was 12.17%, 1.67%, 2%, 5.83%, 2.42%, and 3.91%, respectively, favoring PBT plans. The average cumulative ΔNTCP for GI and GU toxicities (ΣΔNTCP) was 16.58% and 11.41%, respectively, favoring PBT. Using a model-based selection threshold of any G2 ΔNTCP >10%, 67% (8 patients) would be eligible for PBT. Conclusion: Proton beam therapy plans led to superior sparing of organs at risk compared with HT, which translated to lower NTCP for late moderate GI and GU toxicities in patients of prostate cancer treated with PNI. For two-thirds of our patients, the difference in estimated absolute NTCP values between PBT and HT crossed the accepted threshold for minimal clinically important difference.

This study aims to increase Bacillus and Streptomyces antagonistic activity against the root rot and wilt diseases of pulses caused by Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. udum, respectively. To increase antagonistic action, Bacillus subtilis BRBac4, Bacillus siamensis BRBac21, and Streptomyces cavourensis BRAcB10 were subjected to random mutagenesis using varying doses of gamma irradiation (0.5–3.0 kGy). Following the irradiation, 250 bacterial colonies were chosen at random for each antagonistic strain and their effects against pathogens were evaluated in a plate assay. The ERIC, BOX, and random amplified polymorphic studies demonstrated a clear distinction between mutant and wild-type strains. When mutants were compared to wild-type strains, they showed improved plant growth-promoting characteristics and hydrolytic enzyme activity. The disease suppression potential of the selected mutants, B. subtilis BRBac4-M6, B. siamensisi BRBac21-M10, and S. cavourensis BRAcB10-M2, was tested in green gram, black gram, and red gram. The combined inoculation of B. siamensis BRBac21-M10 and S. cavourensis BRAcB10-M2 reduced the incidence of root rot and wilt disease. The same treatment also increased the activity of the defensive enzymes peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. These findings suggested that gamma-induced mutation can be exploited effectively to improve the biocontrol characteristics of Bacillus and Streptomyces. Following the field testing, a combined bio-formulation of these two bacteria may be utilised to address wilt and root-rot pathogens in pulses.

Aeromonas hydrophila, an opportunistic bacteria, causes several devastating diseases in humans and animals, particularly aquatic species. Antibiotics have been constrained by the rise of antibiotic resistance caused by drug overuse. Therefore, new strategies are required to prevent appropriate antibiotic inability from antibiotic-resistant strains. Aerolysin is essential for A. hydrophila pathogenesis and has been proposed as a potential target for inventing drugs with anti-virulence properties. It is a unique method of disease prevention in fish to block the quorum-sensing mechanism of A. hydrophila. In SEM analysis, the crude solvent extracts of both groundnut shells and black gram pods exhibited a reduction of aerolysin formation and biofilm matrix formation by blocking the QS in A. hydrophila. Morphological changes were identified in the extracts treated bacterial cells. Furthermore, in previous studies, 34 ligands were identified with potential antibacterial metabolites from agricultural wastes, groundnut shells, and black gram pods using a literature survey. Twelve potent metabolites showed interactions between aerolysin and metabolites during molecular docking analysis, in that H-Pyran-4-one-2,3 dihydro-3,5 dihydroxy-6-methyl (−5.3 kcal/mol) and 2-Hexyldecanoic acid (−5.2 kcal/mol) showed promising results with potential hydrogen bond interactions with aerolysin. These metabolites showed a better binding affinity with aerolysin for 100 ns in molecular simulation dynamics. These findings point to a novel strategy for developing drugs using metabolites from agricultural wastes that may be feasible pharmacological solutions for treating A. hydrophila infections for the betterment of aquaculture.

Electrospun scaffolds based on polymer-matrix composites have gained wide attention recently. A novel engineered biocompatible scaffold is manufactured using polyurethane (PU) loaded with eucalyptus oil (EL) and Zinc nitrate (ZnNO3) using the electrospinning technique. Morphological observations revealed the reduced fibre diameter for the PU/EL and PU/EL/ZnNO3 compared to PU. Contact angle studies indicated the increase in hydrophobic behaviour of the PU/EL whereas an increase in wettability for PU/EL/ZnNO3 compared to PU. EL and ZnNO3 presence in the PU matrix enhanced the mechanical strength. Surface topology analysis showed a decrease in the roughness for the PU/EL and PU/EL/ZnNO3 compared to the pristine PU. Both PU/EL and PU/EL/ZnNO3 showed prolonged clotting time and decreased haemolytic percentage compared to the polyurethane as indicated in their anticoagulation studies. In vitro bone mineralisation testing depicted the increase in calcium deposition for the modified PU samples compared to pure polyurethane sample. Hence, PU/EL and PU/EL/ZnNO3 scaffold with superior properties render full avenues for new bone generation.

With the rapid growth of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic across the globe, therapeutic attention must be directed to fight the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, developing new antiviral drugs and vaccines is time-consuming, so one of the best solutions to tackle this virus at present is to repurpose ready-to-use drugs. This paper proposes the repurposing of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved, purchasable, and naturally occurring drugs for preventive and therapeutic use. We propose to design a dual-inhibitor for the SARS-CoV-2 cysteine proteases—3 Chemotrypsin-like protease or main protease (3CLpro or Mpro) and Papain-like protease (PLpro) responsible for processing the translated polyprotein chain from the viral RNA yielding functional viral proteins. For virtual screening, an unbiased blind docking was performed from which the top nine dual-targeting inhibitors for 3CLpro and PLpro were selected. The nine repurposed drugs, block the catalytic dyad (His41 and Cys145) of 3CLpro as well as the catalytic triad (Cys111, His272, and Asp286) of PLpro. Repurposing known drugs will not only pave the way for rapid in-vitro and in-vivo studies to battle the SARS-CoV-2 but will also expedite the quest for a potent anti-coronaviral drug.

Introduction: Assessment of skeletal muscle function (SMF) is of clinical relevance in the prediction of treatment outcome and to decide on optimal management of head & neck cancer (HNC) patients. Handgrip strength (HGS) & handgrip endurance (HGE) are considered as surrogate marker for whole-body skeletal muscle function. Further, SMF depends substantially on the body composition (BC). Hence in this study, we compared BC, HGS and HGE between HNC patients and healthy controls and also analysed the association of HGS, HGE with body composition in HNC patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study, conducted in 44 subjects in the age between 18 to 60 years. Twenty-two were histologically proven HNC patients prior to cancer-specific treatment and twenty-two age and gender-matched healthy volunteers. The parameters recorded were Height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, HGS, HGE and BC. Hand-held dynamometer was used to measure HGS and HGE measured using a stopwatch. BC was estimated by whole-body bioelectrical Impedance analysis method using Bodystat Quad scan 4000 device. Result: Comparison of data between HNC patient & healthy control was done by Student's t test. HGS, HGE, lean body mass (LBM), fat-free mass index (FFMI), Phase angle (PA), body cell mass (BCM) and body cell mass index (BCMI) were found to be reduced significantly in HNC patients when compared to healthy subjects. Further, Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation of HGS & HGE with LBM, FFMI, PA, BCM & BCMI, whereas body fat mass index showed a negative correlation with HGS & HGE in HNC patients. Conclusion: Our findings revealed, a significant reduction in HGS, HGE in patient with HNC which denotes decreased skeletal muscle function and it is linearly associated with low muscle mass, body cell mass and phase angle.

Introduction: Lumbar disc herniation is one of the common ailments in young adults. The common levels of L4-L5 and L5-S1 have been chosen for ours. The Evaluation was done based on the level of disc herniation and also with different types of disc herniation such as contained, extruded, or sequestrated disc herniations. The outcomes were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scoring system. Methods: Thirty-three patients with a single-level disc herniation at L4-L5 or L5-S1 who did not show significant improvement of radiculopathy even after a conservative trial were included in the study. All patients were consented and subjected to surgery-unilateral fenestration and fragment discectomy. Patients were evaluated based on their JOA Scoring which was done preoperatively and postoperatively on day 10 and at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. The functional outcome in percentage was calculated using the “recovery rate” by the Hirabayashi index. Results: Following fenestration discectomy, the functional outcome of the patient was found to be good. O the 33 patients operated, males n = 20 and females n = 13. According to Hirabayashi's recovery rate, 48% (n = 16) patients were found to have an excellent result with recovery rate of >80%. Good results were seen in 43% (n = 14) with recovery rates ranging between 70% and 80%. About 3% (n = 1) had a fair result with recovery rate of 56% and 6% (n = 2) had poor results with recovery rate < 50% following surgery. Applying the paired t-test, P was calculated and was 0.0001 which is statistically significant. Complications included incidental durotomy, pseudomeningocele, recurrent disc herniation, and spondylodiscitis. Conclusion: Patients who underwent fenestration discectomy for single-level lumbar disc herniation at L4/5 or L5/S1 showed significant functional improvement as per JOA scoring and Hirabyashi's recovery rate. The results were comparable with newer techniques such as micro and endoscopic discectomy.

Abstract Background Plant extracts are effectively acting as the natural medicinal cocktail, non-side effective, efficacious, and freely available. The present study aimed to unveil the pharmacological and medicinal effects of Terminalia chebula plant extract in 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinoma in Sprague Dawley rats. The plant extract obtained was subjected to in vivo antioxidant and anticancer studies in various concentrations after an analytical technique such as FTIR, GCMS, and HPLC-based chemo-profiling in Sprague Dawley rats. Results Apart from the antiproliferative effect on breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and normal breast epithelial cells (MCF-10a), we have measured the changes in body weight, along with other tumor parameters such as tumor volume, tumor incidence, tumor weight, tumor burden, serum biochemical parameters, and histopathological findings of breast tissue. As the oxidative stress further enhances the development of cancer, the antioxidant property of the plant extract demonstrates its use against cancer treatment. One hundred fifty milligrams per milliliter (IC50 250 μg/mL) concentration of the ethanolic extract was vital for the proliferation of MCF-7 cell lines (Fig. 7a). Meanwhile, 300 μg/mL (IC50 150 μg/mL) was an effective dose to attain a maximum HDAC inhibition of 78%. Also, the normal liver and kidney functioning revealed the non-toxicity nature of the plant. Conclusion Terminalia chebula could be one of the effective naturally obtained anti-breast cancer medications. Isolation and characterization of individual bioactive compounds of T. chebula would be the future perspective.

Abstract Background and objective Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an ongoing pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Due to the incessant spread of the disease with substantial morbidity and mortality rates, there is an urgent demand for effective therapeutics and vaccines to control and diminish this pandemic. A critical step in the crosstalk between the virus and the host cell is the binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor present on the surface of the host cells. Hence, inhibition of this interaction could be a promising strategy to combat the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods Docking and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation studies revealed that designed peptide maintains their secondary structure and provide a highly specific and stable binding (blocking) to SARS-CoV-2. Results We have designed a novel peptide that could inhibit SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interaction with ACE2, thereby blocking the cellular entry of the virus. Conclusion Our findings suggest that computationally developed inhibitory peptide may be developed as an anti-SARS-CoV-2 agent for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We further plan to pursue the peptide in cell-based assays and eventually for clinical trials.

ABSTRACT: Identification and classification of intracardiac masses in echocardiogram is one of the significant processes in the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. A robust back propagation neural network (RBPNN) technique is used to conquer every single conventional-issue utilizing the echocardiogram image analysis for this work, which consists of four phases such as noise removal, automatic segmentation, feature extraction, and intracardiac masses classification. Initially, the noise is diminished from the echocardiogram images utilizing the adaptive vector median filter (AVMF). Then, linear iterative vessel segmentation (LIVS) is applied for automatic segmentation of the masses followed by the extraction of texture features using the multiscale local binary pattern (MS-LBP) approach. Finally, RBPNN is employed to classify the heart mass from the images of echocardiogram with the layered kernel for the system combination. Extensive simulation results obtained using proposed AVMF-MS-LBP based RBPNN approach disclosed the superiority over existing intracardiac mass detection and classification approaches in terms of accuracy of 98.85%.

The goal of this work is to fabricate a new composite based on polyurethane (PU), grapefruit (GP) oil, and cobalt nitrate [Co(NO3)2] using an electrospinning technique. Morphology results revealed the reduction in the fiber diameter of the composites compared to pristine PU control. The interaction of PU with GP and Co(NO3)2 was confirmed by hydrogen bond formation evident in infrared analysis. The fabricated PU/GP composites depicted a more hydrophobic behavior, while PU/GP/Co(NO3)2 showed a hydrophilic behavior than the pristine PU. Atomic force micrographs (AFM) revealed that the developed composites showed a decrease in the surface roughness (Ra) compared to PU. The addition of GP and Co(NO3)2 improved the mechanical strength of the pristine PU. The blood compatibility assays concluded not only the increase in blood clotting levels but also the less toxic nature of the fabricated composites compared to the pristine PU. Hence, the newly designed composites possessing outstanding physicochemical and biological properties may be used as a potential candidate for scaffolding in tissue engineering applications.

The photocatalytic degradation of Acid Red 26 was examined utilizing a graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) catalyst and a UV-A light in this study. We investigated how successfully the photocatalytic approach removed Acid Red 26 from synthetic and actual municipal wastewater. Both aqueous matrices allowed for extremely high clearance rates. Wastewater degraded at a slower rate than the other matrices, this might be ascribed to the wastewater’s complicated chemical composition. Using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), the IPs in both synthetic and actual municipal effluent were determined. The photocatalytic degradation mechanisms of Acid Red 26 are hypothesised to comprise oxidation, dealkylation, and methoxy group cleavage based on the observed intermediate products (IPs). Using proven scavengers, we were also able to investigate the role of reactive species in the degradation process and illustrate the significance of h+ and O2• in the reaction. Chlorococcum sp. and Dunaliella tertiolecta microalgae were also utilised to assess the development of ecotoxicity. We observed low toxicity throughout the process when clean water was used as the matrix, with no production of hazardous IPs. In the case of actual municipal wastewater, there was an early rise in toxicity, which scientists believe was caused by the matrix’s chemical make-up. To lower the toxicity, a heterogeneous photocatalysis was used, and at the end of the treatment, nearly full detoxification was obtained.

Tilapia is a widely cultured species native to Africa; these fish are prolific breeders and constitute an economically important fish species supplying higher-quality protein. To meet the global food demand and achieve the UN’s Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDG), the aquaculture industry has conceived of productive solutions with the potential for adaptability, palatability, and profitability. Tilapia may play a vital role with respect to the possibility for sustainability in the nutrition and aquaculture sectors. India contributes to the promotion of aquacultural practices through a structural framework focused on agricultural, environmental, geographical, and socio-economic factors that provide opportunities for tilapia farming. Globally, the Indian aquaculture sector is currently the second largest in terms of aquacultural production but is moving toward different species that meet SDG and facilitate international marketing opportunities. The farming of aquacultural species with innovative technology constitutes an efficient use of resources. Productive research on feeding, disease management, construction, and layout helps overcome the challenges faced in aquaculture. These focused and sustained factors of the aquaculture industry offer a latent contribution to global food security. This review reports on the state of the art, the challenges regarding tilapia aquaculture in India, and the Indian government’s schemes, missions, subsidies, projects and funding related to tilapia production.

Phospholipids (PLs) are amphiphilic molecules that are in charge of controlling what goes in or out of the cell, keeping up the structure and numerous associated functions. These primary molecules are not only the integral part but also a vastly diverse group of molecules present in microorganisms, plants, and animals. PLs provide rigidity, signal transduction, energy to cells. PLs such as lecithins are molecules of future food, medicine and cosmetic industry. PLs are used in fat and oil refining and these are also used as carriers in drug and drug delivery system. Of course, challenges are there in the assay of phospholipids because of their availability of hydrophobic and hydrophilic components in the same environment. This review is mainly focused to unveil the function, characteristics, features and applications of PLs in various fields.

Sodicity is one of the major salt stresses that impair crop production. Exopolysaccharide-producing sodic tolerant bacteria (EPS-STB) play a significant role in reducing the sodic stress in plants by hampering the uptake of sodium. In this context, this study aims to isolate the EPS-STB for alleviating sodic stress in rice under a sodic environment. Thus, artificial sodicity was created in culture media, and 253 bacteria were isolated from the rice rhizosphere of sodic soils in Trichy and Chinna Salem of Tamil Nadu in India. Fifty bacterial isolates were initially screened based on EPS production, sodic tolerant ability, and plant growth-promoting activities. Further, these bacterial isolates were identified using 16S rDNA sequencing. The results suggested that the isolated bacteria possessed biofilm-forming abilities along with plant growth-promoting activities and osmolyte accumulation under sodic stress conditions. Bacillus rugosus L1C7T, Bacillus paralicheniformis L1C5L, Pseudomonas sp. L5C14T and Franconibacter helveticus L2C1L2 were chosen as better EPS-STB plant growth-promoting bacteria, and their impact on rice under sodic conditions was evaluated. Among the sodic tolerant bacteria, Franconibacter helveticus L2C1L2-inoculated rice plants increased dry matter production compared to the control. Thus, this study showed that the utilization of EPS-STB will become a promising tool to alleviate sodic stress in rice.