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Background : The environmental hazards posed by microplastics have drawn considerable concern due to their buildup in ecosystems. Microplastics accumulate in human saliva, skin, and hair. Developing effective technology for managing and degrading microplastics remains a substantial challenge. In a concerted attempt to save the ecology, this study explores the photocatalytic breakdown of common microplastics like polystyrene (PS) microspheres and polyethylene (PE) using green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) under UV light exposure. Aim : To synthesize and characterize zinc oxide nanoparticles prepared using the extract of the leaves of Piper longum  and qualitatively assess the photocatalytic degradation potential of the nanoparticles under light microscopy. Material and Methods : A fresh extract of P. longum leaves was used as a reducing agent to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, UV-Vis spectra analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were performed to characterize the nanoparticles. Microplastics were isolated from the saliva of 50 healthy patients and were purified and filtered. In a six-well microtiter plate, 0.5 μg of varying concentrations of nanoparticles were added. After fixing with 15% formaldehyde, microplastics were subjected to UV irradiation for 2 hours with different concentrations of ZnO nanoparticles (25, 50, 75, and 100 µg). Custom photoreactors activated the photocatalysts to degrade the microplastic pollutants. The six-well microtiter plate was viewed under 40x magnification in a light microscope to observe microplastic morphology after 24 hours of degradation. Results : The FTIR spectrum showed distinct peaks at 890.51 cm⁻¹, indicating the involvement of C-N in-plane vibrations of amino acids. XRD analysis revealed three distinct diffraction peaks at 31.68°, 34.39°, and 36.33°, corresponding to the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO nanoparticles. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles ranged from 50 to 90 nm in size, viewed at 100x magnification on SEM. The highest degradation of microplastics was observed at a ZnO NP concentration of 100 µL, with the ZnO NPs 50-90 nm in size. Conclusion : Zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized using Piper longum leaf extract effectively degrade microplastics, with the highest degradation observed at a 100 µL concentration of ZnO nanoparticles and optimal degradation occurring at a concentration of 75 µL., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Saveetha Dental College - Institutional Human Ethical Committee issued approval IHEC/SDC/ORTHO-2102/24/176. Saveetha Dental College - Institutional Human Ethical Committee number for the study entitled "Degradation of Microplastics by Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Synthesized using Piper longum Leaf Extract" is IHEC/SDC/ORTHO-2102/24/176. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Vas et al.)

Background Microplastics are acknowledged as significant environmental contaminants. The clinical use of dental materials, particularly adhesives containing plastic polymers, can give rise to the production of plastic micro- and nanoparticles, which subsequently find their way into the environment. The aim of the study was to detect different microplastics and identify them in various orthodontic adhesives. Materials and methods Four different light cure orthodontic adhesives, including Transbond XT (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA), Ormco Enlight (Ormco, Orange, CA), Orthofix SPA (Orthofix, Verona, Italy), and Aqualine LC (Tomy International Inc, Tokyo, Japan), were collected and placed in separate Eppendorf tubes. Microplastics present in each adhesive were identified using scanning electron microscopy. Subsequently, each specimen was suspended in hydrogen peroxide, placed within a shaking incubator, and analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify the type of polymer. Results The scanning electron microscope shows the surface morphology and the most predominant types of microplastics identified were fibers, fragments, and pellets. FTIR results showed the presence of several major functional groups, including hydroxyl, amine, ester, fluoro, and halo groups. Conclusion When contrasted with the quantity of microplastic waste generated by other sectors like the textile, cosmetic, and fishing industries, the microparticulate waste stemming from dental adhesives has a minimal effect on environmental deterioration. Strategies for addressing this concern should give precedence to reducing the use of these materials and adopting effective recovery methods, which could potentially involve recycling processes., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Divakar et al.)

Background Green synthesis of nanoparticles is a growing trend. The annual plant Xanthium strumarium L. ( X. strumarium ) belongs to the Asteraceae family. The herb has traditionally been used to treat a variety of ailments, including leucoderma, dangerous insect bites, epilepsy, salivation, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, etc. Inorganic, biocompatible, and non-toxic titanium is a substance employed in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries as well as in fields like bone tissue engineering. The aim of the study is to characterize titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs), which were synthesized from X.strumarium . Also, this study aims to assess the cytotoxic properties of the synthesized leaf extract and the TiO₂NPs. Materials and methods In this study, the biosynthesis of TiO₂NPs was made from X. strumarium leaf extract. The characterization of the green-synthesized TiO₂NPs was done using the spectral analysis of an ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The advantage of using TiO₂NPs is that they possess antimicrobial, antibacterial, chemical stability, and catalytic properties. The leaf extract and the biosynthesized nanoparticles were tested against human fibroblast cell lines for biocompatibility using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.  Results SEM investigation showed that TiO₂NPs were crystalline in nature. FTIR confirms the presence of alkyne and amine functional groups, and the pointed vertices in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern show the crystalline nature of TiO2NPs. The study found that the cell viability of TiO₂NPs was 110%. Conclusion TiO₂NPs were synthesized from X. strumarium leaf extract and characterized using SEM, FTIR, and XRD. The TiO₂NPs were found to be crystalline in nature with various functional groups. MTT assay shows that the synthesized nanoparticles are promising biocompatible agents that can be used in future research in the medical field., Competing Interests: The patent of a formulation is being planned based on the present study., (Copyright © 2023, P et al.)

Aim: The aim was to compare and evaluate the variation in the mandible's posterior anatomic limits (MPAL) stratified by different third molar impaction patterns utilizing cone-beam CT (CBCT) in individuals with skeletal Class III malocclusion., Methodology: The sample consisted of CBCT records of 80 samples of Class III patients categorized based on the pattern of their third molar impaction. The shortest linear distances from the distal root of the second mandibular molar to the inner cortex of the mandibular body were measured at the crown level, at the cementoenamel junction (CEJ), and at the depths of 4, 6, and 8mm from the CEJ, all parallel to the posterior occlusal line. The MPAL of the four groups were compared. The Shapiro-Wilk test for normality was performed. The Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to compare the MPAL distances between the groups., Results: Significant differences were noted between the four groups at every level. MPAL distances decreased towards apex in all the groups and was least at the 8mm root level. The greatest MPAL distances were noted in the no-impaction group followed by the horizontal. At 8mm, the MPAL were 4.2+/-1.3 in Group 3 (Control), 3.3+/-0.9 in Group 1 and 2.7+/-0.05 mm in Group 2. Though the amount of space available for distalization was greatest for the mesioangular group at the crown level, it was least at the 8mm level compared to other groups., Conclusion: MPAL distances were shortest at the root level in Class III patients who had mesioangularly impacted third molars and care should be taken before attempting distalization in them., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Rajamanickam et al.)

Bioinoculant studies focusing on plant-microbe association hold immense importance for research in field of agriculture and plant science. Such plant-microbe associations are amongst the most complex and beneficial partnerships in nature. Research focused to explore favourable host-microbe relationship requires a contamination free, non-interceptive and easily manageable system where these interactions can be studied in real-time. Also a provision for efficient sample recovery to support a variety of analyses would be a definite advantage. The manuscript proposes a new multi-potential plant bioassay abbreviated "ASURE" inspired by hydroponics. ASURE is a robust system, providing a workable solution to challenges faced during in-vitro microcosm studies. Significance of this system is its plant growth supporting design, facilitating comparative assessment of PGPM treatment benefits to host plant while providing a closer real-time view of plant microbe association. •ASURE serves as a testing tool to pre-determine the efficiency of various plant friendly microbes to develop them as future bioinoculants.•ASURE accommodates 16 individual samples in a 12 × 12 cm space, ensures homogenous micro environment and facilitates continuous and undisturbed (real-time) monitoring of root and shoot growth.•ASURE enables efficient sample recovery with zero loss during harvesting and no interception from substrate., (© 2019 Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Species of Trichoderma are widely recognized for their biocontrol abilities, but seldom studied collectively, for their plant growth promotion, abiotic stress tolerance and bioremediation properties. Our study is a concentrated effort to establish the potential of native isolate Trichoderma harzianum KSNM (T103) to tolerate biotic (root pathogens) and abiotic stresses [high salt (100-1000 mM); heavy metal (chromium, nickel and zinc: 1-10 mM); pesticides: malathion (100-600 ppm), carbofuran (100-600 ppb)], along with its ability to support plant growth. In vitro growth promotion assays with T103 treated Vigna radiata, Vigna mungo and Hordeum vulgare confirmed 'non-species specific' growth promotion effects of T103. At lower metal concentration, T103 treatment was found to completely negate the impact of metal stress [60 % increase in radicle length (RL) with no significant decrease in %germination (%G)]. Even at 10 mM metal, T103 inoculation gave 80 % increase in %G and >50 % increase in RL. In vitro experiments confirmed high metal reduction capacity (47 %-Cr, 35 %-Ni and 42 %-Zn) of T103 at concentrations as high as 4 mM. At maximum residual concentrations of malathion (440 ppm) and carbofuran (100 ppb) reported in agricultural soils, T103 maintained 80 and 100 % survivability, respectively. T103 treatment has improved %G and RL in all three hosts challenged with pesticide. Isolate T103 was found to effectively suppress growth of three major root pathogens: Macrophomina phaseolina (65.83 %) followed by Sclerotium rolfsii (19.33 %) and Fusarium oxysporum (19.18 %). In the light of these observations, native T. harzianum (T103) seems to be a competent biocontrol agent for tropical agricultural soils contaminated with residual pesticides and heavy metals.

The bronchodilator effect of alcoholic extract of Euphorbia hirta Linn was evaluated at different doses (50,100 and 200mg/kg,p.o), using histamine aerosol test model. A dose dependent bronchodilator effect was observed in E. hirta pretreated animals. The extract of E. hirta at a dose of 200mg/kg was found to be more effective in histamine induced broncho constriction and a significant (p<0.001) effect was observed.

A knowledge of behaviour of ectomycorrhizal fungal isolates to substrate pH would help in identifying candidate fungi for plantation programs. Ectomycorrhizal fungus isolates were studied to determine the pH optima for growth, substrate acidification by the culture and the effect of substrate acidification on culture growth. Of the isolates tested, the members of Agaricales (except Laccaria laccata) and Aphyllophorales favored neutral to near neutral pH, while members of the order Sclerodermatales strictly favored acidic pH. The change in substrate pH (deltapH) was maximum at the optimum growth pH for acidophilic isolates but minimum for neutro/basophilic isolates. The experiments indicate that the substrate pH would not only determine the growth rate of the fungus but also limits further proliferation of the fungus in medium. This gives vital information for determining the subculture frequency and for designing substrate parameters for nursery/plantation programs.

Lyophilized vegetative mycelium of ectomycorrhizal fungi was subjected to various viability tests to confirm functional integrity. Physical integrity of freeze-dried cultures was comparable to that of non-lyophilized cultures. Inter- and intraspecific variations in morphology, physiology, and metabolic rate were maintained after lyophilization. Maintenance of total protein content confirmed metabolic stability. According to the assays of viability, a plating assay and determination of total biomass confirmed stable mitotic activity of the freeze-dried cultures.

Kadhaka Kadhiradi Kasayam (KKK) was screened for hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in albino rats at a dose of 0.5ml/kg body weight. The drug reduced weight alkaline phosphatase and GOT activity in liver, cholesterol and GPT activity in serum. There was no effect on protein and liver glycogen.