Search

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most prevalent endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and there is widespread concern about the adverse effects of EDCs on human health. However, the exact mechanism of these toxicities has still not been fully deciphered. Additionally, studies have reported the toxicological effects at far low doses to the generally considered no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) dose. The present study investigates the effects of a sub-acute (28 days) exposure to BPA (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg/day) in adult male mice on various hormones levels, sperm motility, sperm count, functional integrity of sperm plasma membrane, testicular histological changes, oxidative stress markers and DNA damage. The key proteome signatures were quantified by LC-MS/MS analysis using Orbitrap Fusion Lumos Tribrid Mass Spectrometer equipped with nano-LC Easy-nLC 1200. Data suggest that the BPA exposure in all doses (below/above NOAEL dose) have greatly impacted the hormone levels, sperm parameters (sperm count, motility and membrane integrity) and testicular histology. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics data suggested for 1352 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs; 368 upregulated, 984 downregulated) affecting biological process, cellular component, and molecular functions. Specifically searched male reproductive function related proteins suggested a complex network where 46 potential proteins regulating spermatogenesis, sperm structure, activity and membrane integrity while tackling oxidative stress responses were downregulated. These potential biomarkers could shed some more light on our current understanding of the reproductive toxicological effects of BPA and may lead to exploration of novel interventions strategies against these targets for male infertility., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Bisphenol S (BPS) and Bisphenol F (BPF), the analogues of the legacy endocrine disrupting chemical, Bisphenol A (BPA) are ubiquitous in the environment and present in various consumer goods, and potentially neurotoxic. Here, we studied sex-specific responses of bisphenols on behavioural phenotypes, including their association with pro-inflammatory biomarkers and altered neurotransmitters levels, and the key gut microbial abundances. Neurobehavioural changes, using standard test battery, biochemical and molecular estimations for inflammatory cytokines, neurotransmitters, and oxido-nitrosative stress markers, gene expression analysis using qRT-PCR, H&E based histological investigations, gut permeability assays and Oxford Nanopore-based 16S-rRNA metagenomics sequencing for the gut microbial abundance estimations were performed. Bisphenol(s) exposure induces anxiety and depression-like behaviours, particularly in the male mice, with heightened pro-inflammatory cytokines levels and systemic endotoxemia, altered monoamine neurotransmitters levels/turnovers and hippocampal neuronal degeneration and inflammatory responses in the brain. They also increased gut permeability and altered microbial diversity, particularly in males. Present study provides evidence for sex-specific discrepancies in neurobehavioural phenotypes and gut microbiota, which necessitate a nuanced understanding of sex-dependent responses to bisphenols. The study contributes to ongoing discussions on the multifaceted implications of bisphenols exposure and underscores the need for tailored regulatory measures to mitigate potential health risks associated with them., 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.)

The influence of 60Co gamma radiation on Molybdenum Oxide-Cerium Oxide (MoO3-CeO2) nanocomposite is investigated in the present study. The MoO3-CeO2 nanocomposite was synthesized by conventional hydrothermal route. Ammonium hepta molybdate tetrahydrate [(NH4)6Mo7O24.4H2O] and cerium nitrate [Ce (NO3)3.4H2O] were used as the precursors. The composite was subjected to high energy gamma irradiation for different doses of 50, 100 and 150 kGy using 60Co gamma irradiation chamber. The structural study was carried out using X-ray diffraction, the morphological studies were carried out using scanning electron microscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy was carried out to study the optical properties before and after irradiation. The crystallite size was found to increase with increasing doses of gamma irradiation. The morphology of the samples shows that the nanoparticles tend to agglomerate with increasing doses of gamma radiation. The energy bandgap of the MoO3-CeO2 nanocomposite was calculated before and after irradiation and found to decrease with increasing doses of irradiation upto 100 kGy and then increases for 150 kGy., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Oriental theileriosis caused by Theileria orientalis, previously considered a benign disease, is posing a significant threat to the livestock industry across the globe. To elucidate the prevalence of Theileria orientalis in ticks and their host, the Mithun, a comprehensive study was undertaken in the two northeastern states of India, viz. Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. A total of 340 of Rhipicephalus microplus ticks and 25 Ambylomma sp. ticks were screened for the presence of Theileria orientalis through PCR. Among the R. microplus ticks examined, 25 of them tested positive for T. orientalis infection whereas none of the Amblyomma ticks was positive. Additionally, a total of 275 blood samples were collected from Mithun from Arunachal and Nagaland and 31 animals were found to be positive for T. orientalis infection. Notably, six positive cases were identified in Porba (Phek district), six in Tening, and one in Bamsiakilwa village (Peren district) of Nagaland. Moreover, out of the 41 animals examined at Medziphema farms, Nagaland, 18 were found to be positive for T. orientalis infection. Moreover, the phylogenetic investigation has unveiled the presence of the highly pathogenic Type 2 (Ikeda) T. orientalis genotype in Mithun, supported by a strong bootstrap value of 100%. This study marks the initial documentation of oriental theileriosis in mithun. It underscores the need for vigilant monitoring and active surveillance of mithun populations in the northeastern states of India. Timely treatment of infected animals is imperative to avert economic losses for the farmers., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The current work is focused on developing mannose-coated PLGA nanoparticles for delivering Donepezil and Memantine in one dosage form. The formulated nanoparticles were prepared using a simple emulsification technique. The final coated NPs exhibited 179.4 nm size and - 33.1 mV zeta potential and spherical shape. The concentration of IN-administrated MEM and DPZ mannose coated NPs in brain was ~573 and 207 ng/mL respectively. This amount accounts for 3 times more in comparison to uncoated NPs administered via intranasal and peroral routes. The plasma concentration of coated NPs administered via the intranasal route was various times less in comparison to other groups. In the field of pharmacodynamics, the administration of coated NPs via the IN route has shown superior efficacy in comparison to other groups in various investigations involving neurobehavioral assessments, gene expression analyses and biochemical estimations. The findings indicate that the IN route may be a potential avenue for delivering therapeutic agents using nanoparticles to treat neurological illnesses. This approach shows promise as a viable alternative to traditional dose forms and administration methods., 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 © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

This work focuses on developing nanoemulsions using a low-energy emulsification method for the codelivery of donepezil and memantine in one dosage form intended to be administered via the intranasal route for enhanced brain delivery. The nanoemulsion formulation was prepared using a low emulsification technique and characterized using various microscopy and nasal ciliotoxicity studies. The safe nanoemulsion was intended for preclinical pharmacokinetics with brain distribution and pharmacodynamics in a scopolamine-induced murine model. The formulated nanoemulsion was 16 nm in size, with a zeta potential of -7.22 mV, and exhibited a spherical shape. The brain concentration of IN-administered NE for DPZ and MEM was ∼678 and 249 ng/mL after 15 min. This concentration is more than 2 times higher in amount when compared with NE administered via PO, free drug solution administered via IN and PO route both. However, the plasma concentration of IN-administered NE for DPZ and MEM was ∼3 and 28 ng/mL after 15 min. In pharmacodynamic studies, the efficacy of NE administered via the IN route was higher when compared with other groups in neurobehavioral, biochemical estimation, and gene expression studies. The results suggest that the IN route can be explored in the future for the delivery of actives via nanocolloidal carriers in the brain for neurological disorders and can serve as promising alternatives for conventional dosage forms and routes.

Background: Inorganic arsenic [As(III)] and hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] can potentially affect metabolic functions. These heavy metal(s)/metalloids can also affect the gut microbial architecture which affects metabolic health. Here, we assessed the effects of short-term exposure of As(III) and Cr(VI) on key transcription factors in adipose tissues and on selected gut microbial abundances to understand the possible modulatory role of these toxicants on host metabolic health., Methods and Results: qRT-PCR based relative bacterial abundance studies in cecal samples, gene expression analysis for gut wall integrity in ileum and colon and adipogenesis, lipolysis, and thermogenic genes in gonadal white and brown adipose tissue (gWAT and BAT), along with tissue oxidative stress parameters have been performed. As(III) and Cr(VI) exposure reduced beneficial Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, Akkermansia, Lachenospiraceae, Fecalibacterium, Eubacterium, and clostridium coccoid group while increasing lipopolysaccharides producing Enterobacteriaceae abundances. It also impaired structural features and expression of key tight junction and mucin production genes in ileum and colon (Cld-2, Cld-4, ZO-1, ZO-2, MUC-2 and - 4). In gWAT it inhibited adipogenesis (PPARγ, FASN, SREBP1a), lipolysis (HSL, ACOX-1), and thermogenesis (UCP-1, PGC1a, PRDM-16, PPARa) related genes expression, whereas in BAT, it enhanced adipogenesis and reduced thermogenesis. These exposures also reduces the endogenous antioxidants levels in these tissues and promote pro-inflammatory cytokines genes expression (TLRs, IL-6, MCP-1). The combinatorial exposure appears to have more deleterious effects., Conclusion: These effects of As(III) and Cr(VI) may not directly be linked to their known toxicological effects, instead, more intriguing crosstalk with gut microbial ecosystem hold the key., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Pomegranate is an important fruit crop for ensuring livelihood and nutrition security in fragile semi-arid regions of the globe having limited irrigation resources. This is a high-value, nutritionally rich, and export-oriented agri-commodity that ensures high returns on investment to growers across the world. Although it is a valuable fruit crop, it has received only a limited genomics research outcome. To fast-track the pomegranate improvement program, de novo whole-genome sequencing of the main Indian cultivar 'Bhagawa' was initiated by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Research Center on Pomegranate (ICAR-NRCP). We have demonstrated that a combination of commercially available technologies from Illumina, PacBio, 10X Genomics, and BioNano Genomics could be used efficiently for sequencing and reference-grade de novo assembly of the pomegranate genome. The research led to a final reference-quality genome assembly for 'Bhagawa' of 346.08 Mb in 342 scaffolds and an average N50 of 16.12 Mb and N90 of 1088.62 Kb. This assembly covered more than 98% of the estimated pomegranate genome size, 352.54 Mb. The LTR assembly index (LAI) value of 10 and 93.68% Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) completeness score over the 1,440 ortholog genes of the completed pomegranate genome indicates the quality of the assembled pomegranate genome. Furthermore, 29,435 gene models were discovered with a mean transcript length of 2,954 bp and a mean coding sequence length 1,090 bp. Four transcript data samples of pomegranate tissues were mapped over the assembled 'Bhagawa' genome up to 95% significant matches, indicating the high quality of the assembled genome. We have compared the 'Bhagawa' genome with the genomes of the pomegranate cultivars 'Dabenzi' and 'Taishanhong.' We have also performed whole-genome phylogenetic analysis using Computational Analysis of Gene Family Evolution (CAFE) and found that Eucalyptus grandis and pomegranate diverged 64 (60-70) million years ago. About 1,573 protein-coding resistance genes identified in the 'Bhagawa' genome were classified into 32 domains. In all, 314 copies of miRNA belonging to 26 different families were identified in the 'Bhagawa' genome. The reference-quality genome assembly of 'Bhagawa' is certainly a significant genomic resource for accelerated pomegranate improvement., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Roopa Sowjanya, Shilpa, Patil, Babu, Sharma, Sangnure, Mundewadikar, Natarajan, Marathe, Reddy and Singh.)

Blood lead level (BLL) is the primary biomarker for lead-exposure monitoring in occupationally exposed workers. We evaluated occupational lead-exposure (OE) impact on cardiopulmonary functions in lead-acid battery recycling unit workers. Seventy-six OE cases and 30 control subjects were enrolled for questionnaire-based socio-demographic, dietary, tobacco usage, and medical history data. Anthropometric measurements, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), and pulmonary function tests were performed. Venous blood was collected for BLL, hematological analysis, and biochemical analysis. OE caused a significant increase in BLL, SBP, DBP, and small airways obstruction in lung function tests. It also impaired platelet indices, affected renal and liver biochemical measurements, and promoted oxidative stress and DNA damage. Multilinear regression analysis suggested that BLL affected SBP (β = 0.314, p = .034) and increased small airways obstruction (FEV 1 /FVC, β = -0.37, p = .05; FEV 25-75% , β = -0.351, p = .016). Higher BLL appears to be an independent modulator of hypertension and poor pulmonary function upon occupational lead exposure in lead-acid battery recyclers.

A triplex-PCR assay was developed and evaluated for rapid detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) recovered from various biological samples of pig. Three sets of primers were designed to target mecA, 16S rRNA and nuc genes of MRSA. The specific amplification generated three bands on agarose gel, with sizes 280 bp for mecA, 654 bp for 16S rRNA and 481 bp for nuc, respectively. A potential advantage of the PCR assay is its sensitivity with a detection limit of 10 2  CFU per ml of bacteria. In all, 79 MRSA isolates recovered from various samples of pigs were subjected to the amplification by the triplex-PCR assay and all the isolates yielded three bands corresponding to the three genes under this study. No false-positive amplification was observed, indicating the high specificity of the developed triplex-PCR assay. This assay will be a useful and powerful method for differentiation of MRSA from methicillin-sensitive S. aureus, coagulase-negative methicillin-resistant staphylococci and coagulase-negative methicillin-sensitive staphylococci., (© 2020 The Society for Applied Microbiology.)

We report the synthesis of two-dimensional porous ZnO nanosheets, CuSCN nanocoins, and ZnO/CuSCN nano-heterostructure thin films grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates via two simple and low-cost solution chemical routes, i.e., chemical bath deposition and successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction methods. Detail characterizations regarding the structural, optoelectronic, and morphological properties have been carried out, which reveal high-quality and crystalline synthesized materials. Field emission (FE) investigations performed at room temperature with a base pressure of 1 × 10 -8 mbar demonstrate superior FE performance of the ZnO/CuSCN nano-heterostructure compared to the isolated porous ZnO nanosheets and CuSCN nanocoins. For instance, the turn-on field required to draw a current density of 10 μA/cm 2 is found to be 2.2, 1.1, and 0.7 V/μm for the ZnO, CuSCN, and ZnO/CuSCN nano-heterostructure, respectively. The observed significant improvement in the FE characteristics (ultralow turn-on field of 0.7 V/μm for an emission current density of 10 μA/cm 2 and the achieved high current density of 2.2 mA/cm 2 at a relatively low applied electric field of 1.8 V/μm) for the ZnO/CuSCN nano-heterostructure is superior to the isolated porous ZnO nanosheets, CuSCN nanocoins, and other reported semiconducting nano-heterostructures. Complementary first-principles density functional theory calculations predict a lower work function for the ZnO/CuSCN nano-heterostructure (4.58 eV), compared to the isolated ZnO (5.24 eV) and CuSCN (4.91 eV), validating the superior FE characteristics of the ZnO/CuSCN nano-heterostructure. The ZnO/CuSCN nanocomposite could provide a promising class of FE cathodes, flat panel displays, microwave tubes, and electron sources., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (Copyright © 2020 American Chemical Society.)

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), a common contagious disease that usually affects children, can be caused by enteroviruses. Coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) and enterovirus 71(EV-71) are the major aetiological agents of HFMD. Other EV serotypes, CV-A4-7, CV-A9-10, CV-B1-3, CV-B5, E-4 and E-19, have also been found associated with both sporadic infections and outbreaks of HFMD. In India, outbreaks of HFMD have been documented; however, molecular characterization of the aetiological agents has rarely been reported. Cases of HFMD were identified during 2009-2010 on the basis of clinical features in southern and eastern parts of India. The aim of the present study was to detect and characterize the aetiological agents associated with the disease. A total of 89 specimens consisting of 41 sera, 24 vesicular fluids, 18 stools and 6 throat swabs were collected from 61 clinically diagnosed HFMD cases from southern and eastern parts of India. RT-PCR followed by sequencing of PCR amplicons and phylogenetic analysis were performed on all specimens for detection of EV RNA and identification of EV types. EV RNA was detected in 47.1 % (42/89) of the specimens collected from 57.4 % (35/61) of the HFMD cases. Thirty-six of 42 EV strains showed amplification of the VP1/2A junction or VP1 regions. Sequence analysis of the amplicons identified the presence of CV-A16 (54.8 %), CV-A6 (38.1 %), EV-71 (2.4 %), CV-A10 (2.4 %) and E-9 (2.4 %) serotypes in the HFMD cases. The study documents CV-A16 and CV-A6 as major and CV-A10, EV-71 and E-9 as rare viral pathogens of HFMD in India.

The multifarious nature of biodiversity is considered in relation to difficulties of definite determination and managerial mandates for monitoring. At a micro scale there is some convergence with the concept of community, but the linkage is largely lost in the spectra of temporal scope, spatial scales, successional seres, and taxonomic trajectories. Practicality points to selecting suitable suites of indicators as surrogates for particular purposes. Domains of partial ordering on multiple indicators constitute comparable collectives, whereas different domains require recognition of special situations. Theoretical treatise and practical process can proceed in parallel, with dialogue and cross-fertilization serving to invigorate and inspire; whereas compulsive concern for completeness and consistency can be counter-productive as well as unduly expensive. Inability to completely capture all aspects of biodiversity in one full formulation is interesting and integral to issues of biocomplexity.

This article develops a computationally and analytically convenient form of the profile likelihood method for obtaining one-sided confidence limits on scalar-valued functions phi = phi(psi) of the parameters psi in a multiparameter statistical model. We refer to this formulation as the likelihood contour method (LCM). In general, the LCM procedure requires iterative solution of a system of nonlinear equations, and good starting values are critical because the equations have at least two solutions corresponding to the upper and lower confidence limits. We replace the LCM equations by the lowest order terms in their asymptotic expansions. The resulting equations can be solved explicitly and have exactly two solutions that are used as starting values for obtaining the respective confidence limits from the LCM equations. This article also addresses the problem of obtaining upper confidence limits for the risk function in a dose-response model in which responses are normally distributed. Because of normality, considerable analytic simplification is possible and solution of the LCM equations reduces to an easy one-dimensional root-finding problem. Simulation is used to study the small-sample coverage of the resulting confidence limits.