Tamarindus indica seed polysaccharide-copper nanocomposite: An innovative solution for green environment and antimicrobial studies.

The purpose of this study was to synthesize ecofriendly nano-composite in which agricultural waste (seeds of Tamarindus indica) was used to synthesize tamarind seed polysaccharides (TSP) and its composite with copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) for the purpose of green and clean environment as well as reduction of green-house gases. Confirmation of extracted TSP, synthesized nanocomposite was carried out using FTIR, SEM, PXRD and EDX techniques. In FTIR analysis TSP gives a strong broad peak at 3331 cm-1 due to -OH group and in case of composite its intensity is reduced which might be due to the interactions between -OH and Cu+2 ions. SEM analysis gives that TSP have irregular and rough surface while Cu-NPs exhibited spherical morphology and composite showed clustering of spherical shape to rough surface. EDX analysis quantitatively represented copper having atomic ratio 0.57 % which confirms the synthesis of composite. Furthermore, synthesized composite demonstrated excellent antibacterial activity against gram-positive (S.aureus) and gram-negative bacteria (E.coli) even greater than standard medicine (ciprofloxacin). From this study it was revealed that agriculture waste can be utilized to make environment green as well as synthesized composite from agricultural waste seed also displayed excellent antimicrobial activities which directs that they can be utilized in medical field. This study aims to assess the antimicrobial properties of the nanocomposite, aiming to contribute to the development of effective antimicrobial agents. Through these objectives, the research seeks to bridge the gap between green technology and antimicrobial efficacy, offering a promising avenue for both environmental conservation and healthcare advancements.

Valorization of Eichhornia crassipes for the production of cellulose nanocrystals further investigation of plethoric biobased resource.

Chemical processing is among the significant keys to tackle agro-residues utilization field, aiming to obtain value-added materials. Extraction of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) is an emerging route to valorize lignocellulosic wastes into high value particles. In this investigation, effect of acidic hydrolysis duration was monitored on size and morphology of obtained crystals; namely: CNCs from Nile roses fibers (NRFs) (Eichhornia crassipes). Different acidic hydrolysis duration range or different characterization techniques set this article apart from relevant literature, including our group research articles. The grinded NRFs were firstly subjected to alkaline and bleaching pretreatments, then acid hydrolysis process was carried out with varied durations ranging from 5 to 30 min. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was used as reference for comparison with NRFs based samples. The extracted CNCs samples were investigated using various techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis. The figures gotten from SEM and AFM depicted that NRFs based CNCs appeared as fibril-like shapes, with reduced average size when the NRFs underwent pulping and bleaching processes. This was indicated that the elimination of hemicellulose and lignin components got achieved successfully. This outcome was proven by chemical composition measurements and TGA/DTG curves. On the other hand, AFM-3D images indicated that CNCs topology and surface roughness were mostly affected by increasing hydrolysis durations, besides smooth and homogeneous surfaces were noticed. Moreover, Raman spectra demonstrated that the particle size and crystallinity degree of NRFs based CNCs can be affected by acidic hydrolysis durations and optimum extraction time was found to be 10 min. Thermal stability of extracted CNCs-NRFs and CNCs-MCC was measured by TGA/DTG and the kinetic models were suggested to identify the kinetic parameters of the thermal decomposition of CNCs for each acid hydrolysis duration. Increasing hydrolysis duration promoted thermal stability, particularly for NRFs based CNCs. Results showcased in this article add new perspective to Nile rose nanocellulose and pave down the way to fabricate NRFs based humidity nano-sensors.

First principle study of scandium-based novel ternary half Heusler ScXGe (X = Mn and Fe) alloys: insight into the spin-polarized structural, electronic, and magnetic properties.

The structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of novel half-Heusler alloys ScXGe (X = Mn, Fe) are investigated using the first principle full potential linearized augmented plane wave approach based on density functional theory (DFT). To attain the desired outcomes, we employed the exchange-correlation frameworks, specifically the local density approximation in combination with Perdew, Burke, and Ernzerhof's generalized gradient approximation plus the Hubbard U parameter method (GGA + U) to highlight the strong exchange-correlation interaction in these alloys. The structural parameter optimizations, whether ferromagnetic (FM) or nonmagnetic (NM), reveal that all ScXGe (where X = Mn, Fe) Heusler alloys attain their lowest ground state energy during FM optimization. The examination of the electronic properties of these alloys reveals their metallic character in both the spin-up and spin-down channels. The projected densities of states indicate that bonding is achieved through the hybridization of p-d and d-d states in all of the compounds. The investigation of the magnetic properties in ScXGe (where X = Mn, Fe) compounds indicates pronounced stability in their ferromagnetic state. Notably, the Curie temperatures for ScXGe (X = Mn, Fe) are determined to be 2177.02 K and 1656.09 K, respectively. The observation of metallic behavior and the strong ferromagnetic characteristics in ScXGe (X = Mn, Fe) half-Heusler alloys underscores their potential significance in the realm of spintronic devices. Consequently, our study serves as a robust foundation for subsequent experimental validation.

ZIF-67 MOF-Derived Mn3O4 @ N-Doped C as a Supercapacitor Electrode in Different Alkaline Media.

Transition-metal oxide has been identified as an auspicious material for supercapacitors due to its exceptional capacity. The inadequate electrochemical characteristics, such as prolonged cycle stability, can be ascribed to factors, such as low electrical conductivity, sluggish reaction kinetics, and a deficiency of active sites. The transition-metal oxides derived from the MOF materials offer a larger surface area with enriched active sites and a faster reaction rate along with good electrical conductivity. The manganese (Mn)-based metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived materials were produced using the pyrolysis method. Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-67) were fabricated in water at ambient temperature with the aid of triethylamine. Multiple techniques were used to examine the characteristics of the fabricated electrode materials. The influence of the electrolyte on the electrochemical activity of the Mn3O4@N-doped C electrode materials was determined in KOH, NaOH, and LiOH. For manufacturing of "Mn3O4@N-doped C", ZIF-67 was used as a precursor. The capacitive performance of the Mn3O4@N-doped C electrode increased as a result of nitrogen-doped carbon; after 5000th cycles, the electrode retained an excellent rate capability and a high specific capacitance (Cs) of 980 F g-1 at 1 A g-1 under 2.0 KOH electrolyte in a three electrode system. The carbonized manganese oxide displays also had a high Cs of 686 F g-1 in two electrode systems in 2.0 M KOH. Materials made from MOFs show promise as capacitive materials for applications in energy conversion storage owing to their straightforward synthesis and strong electrochemical performance.

Remediation through the coordinated use of local rice husk residues for the selective adsorption of iron and nickel in real landfill leachate.

Herein, we demonstrate the prospects of tackling several environmental problems by transforming a local rice husk residue into an effective adsorbent, which was then applied for the treatment of real landfill leachate (LL). The study focused on establishing (i) the effect of simple washing on morphological aspects, (ii) evaluating target adsorption capacity for total iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni), (iii) determining regeneration and reuse potential of the adsorbent and (iv) complying to the requirements of worldwide legislations for reuse of treated LL wastewater. The adsorbent was prepared by employing a simple yet effective purification process that can be performed in situ. The LL was collected post-membrane treatment, and the characterizations revealed high concentrations of Fe, Ni, and organic matter content. The simple washing affected the crystallinity, resulting in structural alterations of the adsorbents, also increasing the porosity and specific surface. The adsorption process for Ni occurred naturally at pH 6, but adjusting the pH to 3 significantly improved removal efficiency and adsorption capacity for total Fe. The kinetics were accurately described by the pseudo-second-order model, while the Langmuir model provided a better fit for the isotherms. The adsorbent was stable for 5 reuses, and the metals adsorbed were recovered through basic leaching. The removal capacities achieved underscore the remarkable effectiveness of the process, ensuring the treated LL wastewater meets rigorous global environmental legislations for safe use in irrigation. Thus, by employing the compelling methods herein optimized it is possible to refer to the of solving three environmental problems at once.

Geochemistry and the optics of geospatial analysis as a preposition of water quality on a macroscale.

The water treatment depends exclusively on the identification of residues containing toxic chemical elements accumulated in NPs (nanoparticles), and ultrafine particles sourced from waste piles located at old, abandoned sulfuric acid factories containing phosphogypsum requires global attention. The general objective of this study is to quantify and analyze the hazardous chemical elements present in the leachate of waste from deactivated sulfuric acid factories, coupled in NPs and ultrafine particles, in the port region of the city of Imbituba, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Samples were collected in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Corresponding images from the Sentinel-3B OLCI satellite, taken in the same general vicinity, detected the levels of absorption coefficient of Detritus and Gelbstoff (ADG443_NN) in 443 m-1, chlorophyll-a (CHL_NN (m-3)), and total suspended matter (TSM_NN (g m-3) at 72 points on the marine coast of the port region. The results of inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) demonstrate that the leaching occurring in waste piles at the port area of Imbituba was the likely source of hazardous chemical elements (e.g., Mg, Sr, Nd, and Pr) in the environment. These leachates were formed due to the presence of coal pyrite and Fe-acid sulfates in said waste piles. The mobility of hazardous chemical elements potentiates changes in the marine ecosystem, in relation to ADG443_NN (m-1), CHL_NN (m-3), and TSM NN (g m-3), with values greater than 20 g m-3 found in 2021 and 2022. This indicated changes in the natural conditions of the marine ecosystem up to 30 km from the coast in the Atlantic Ocean, justifying public initiatives for water treatment on a global scale.

Association of Diabetes Mellitus With Increased Mortality in Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales Infections.

Introduction Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections have high mortality. We aimed to examine the diabetes mellitus (DM) association with CRE mortality. Methodology Our study is a retrospective cohort study including patients who were admitted to the medical wards in the main district hospital (New Jahra Hospital, Kuwait) between January 1, 2022, and January 1, 2023, and diagnosed with CRE infections during hospitalization. The patients were divided into diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Clinical and laboratory data were collected. The presence of carbapenemase genes was detected. The primary outcome was 30-day hospital mortality. We assessed the effect of glycemic control on the outcomes. Results We included 47 patients in the diabetic group and 39 patients in the non-diabetic group. Females represented 54.7% of patients, and the median age was 73 and 55 years in the two groups, respectively. Klebsiella pneumonia (86%) and Escherichia coli (12.8%) were the most frequently isolated CRE. Carbapenemase genes were detected in all patients: NDM-1 in 67.4%, OXA-48 in 18.6%, and both genes coexisted in 14%. The 30-day hospital mortality was significantly higher in the diabetic group compared to the non-diabetic group (48.9% vs. 28.2%, P = 0.041). Among the diabetic patients, there was no significant difference between survivors and non-survivors regarding median glucose or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels (P = 0.465 and 0.932, respectively). Moreover, levels of glucose (odds ratio (OR) 0.928, confidence interval (CI) 0.763-1.13, P = 0.457) and HbA1c (OR 0.89, CI 0.63-1.26, P = 0.507) were not risk factors for increased mortality among diabetic patients.  Conclusion We demonstrated the association between DM and increased CRE mortality regardless of the level of glycemic control. This study demonstrates the interaction between communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Adsorption of rare earth elements on a magnetic geopolymer derived from rice husk: studies in batch, column, and application in real phosphogypsum leachate sample.

There is a growing need to develop new strategies for rare earth element (REE) recovery from secondary resources. Herein, a novel approach to utilize biogenic silica (from rice husk) and metakaolin was employed to fabricate magnetic geopolymer (MGP) by incorporating metallic iron. The fabricated MGP adsorbent material was used to uptake Ce3+, La3+, and Nd3+ from synthetic solutions and real phosphogypsum leachate in batch and column modes. The MGP offers a negatively charged surface at pH above 2.7, and the uptake of REEs rises from pH 3 to 6. The kinetic study validated that the kinetics was much faster for Nd3+, followed by La3+ and Ce3+. A thermodynamic investigation validated the exothermic nature of the adsorption process for all selected REEs. The desorption experiment using 2 mol L-1 H2SO4 as the eluent demonstrated approximately 100% desorption of REEs from the adsorbent. After six adsorption-desorption cycles, the MGP maintained a high adsorption performance up to cycle five before suffering a significant decrease in performance in cycle six. The effectiveness of MGP was also assessed for its applicability in recovering numerous REEs (La3+, Ce3+, Pr3+, Sm3+, and Nd3+) from real leachate from phosphogypsum wastes, and the highest recovery was achieved for Nd3+ (95.03%) followed by Ce3+ (86.33%). The operation was also feasible in the column presenting suitable values of the length of the mass transfer zone. The findings of this investigation indicate that MGP adsorbent prepared via a simple route has the potential for the recovery of REEs from synthetic and real samples in both batch and continuous operations modes.

Data mining and library generation to search electron-rich and electron-deficient building blocks for the designing of polymers for photoacoustic imaging.

Photoacoustic imaging is a good method for biological imaging, for this purpose, materials with strong near infrared (NIR) absorbance are required. In the present study, machine learning models are used to predict the light absorption behavior of polymers. Molecular descriptors are utilized to train a variety of machine learning models. Building blocks are searched from chemical databases, as well as new building blocks are designed using chemical library enumeration method. The Breaking Retrosynthetically Interesting Chemical Substructures (BRICS) method is employed for the creation of 10,000 novel polymers. These polymers are designed based on the input of searched and selected building blocks. To enhance the process, the optimal machine learning model is utilized to predict the UV/visible absorption maxima of the newly designed polymers. Concurrently, chemical similarity analysis is also performed on the selected polymers, and synthetic accessibility of selected polymers is calculated. In summary, the polymers are all easy to synthesize, increasing their potential for practical applications.

Identification and In Silico Characterization of a Conserved Peptide on Influenza Hemagglutinin Protein: A New Potential Antigen for Universal Influenza Vaccine Development.

Antigenic changes in surface proteins of the influenza virus may cause the emergence of new variants that necessitate the reformulation of influenza vaccines every year. Universal influenza vaccine that relies on conserved regions can potentially be effective against all strains regardless of any antigenic changes and as a result, it can bring enormous public health impact and economic benefit worldwide. Here, a conserved peptide (HA288-107) on the stalk domain of hemagglutinin glycoprotein is identified among highly pathogenic influenza viruses. Five top-ranked B-cell and twelve T-cell epitopes were recognized by epitope mapping approaches and the corresponding Human Leukocyte Antigen alleles to T-cell epitopes showed high population coverage (>99%) worldwide. Moreover, molecular docking analysis indicated that VLMENERTL and WTYNAELLV epitopes have high binding affinity to the antigen-binding groove of the HLA-A*02:01 and HLA-A*68:02 molecules, respectively. Theoretical physicochemical properties of the peptide were assessed to ensure its thermostability and hydrophilicity. The results suggest that the HA288-107 peptide can be a promising antigen for universal influenza vaccine design. However, in vitro and in vivo analyses are needed to support and evaluate the effectiveness of the peptide as an immunogen for vaccine development.

Fabrication of Co3O4/Co3S4/CNTs for photocatalytic treatment of wastewater under xenon lamp.

The current study is about the synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) of cobalt oxide (CO) and cobalt sulfide (CS) followed by their nanocomposites as CO/CS and CO/CS/CNT by ultrasonication approach. The addition of carbon-based materials in the oxides and sulfides enhances their performance by developing physico-chemical interactions. Prepared NPs were utilized for the photodegradation of organic contaminants. The characteristics, as well as the efficiency of the prepared samples, have been systematically examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-vis spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activities of bare samples and synthesized nanocomposites were tested for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) using a xenon lamp. The percentage degradation of dye was 24.14%, 57.94%, 71.66%, and 85.04% in the presence of CO, CS, CO/CS, and CO/CS/CNT, respectively. Crystal violet (CV), Rhodamine B (rho-B), and industrial wastewater were also degraded by the ternary composite. The comparative studies showed the best performance of CO/CS/CNT, which enhanced the generation of electron-hole pairs by absorption of photons of incoming radiations, increased charge separation, and maximum surface area for adsorption.

Fabrication and Evaluation of Anticancer Potential of Eugenol Incorporated Chitosan-Silver Nanocomposites: In Vitro, In Vivo, and In Silico Studies.

The expanding global cancer burden necessitates a comprehensive strategy to promote possible therapeutic interventions. Nanomedicine is a cutting-edge approach for treating cancer with minimal adverse effects. In the present study, chitosan-silver nanoparticles (ChAgNPs) containing Eugenol (EGN) were synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activity against breast cancer cells (MCF-7). The physical, pharmacological, and molecular docking studies were used to characterize these nanoparticles. EGN had been effectively entrapped into hybrid NPs (84 ± 7%). The EGN-ChAgNPs had a diameter of 128 ± 14 nm, a PDI of 0.472 ± 0.118, and a zeta potential of 30.58 ± 6.92 mV. Anticancer activity was measured in vitro using an SRB assay, and the findings revealed that EGN-ChAgNPs demonstrated stronger anticancer activity against MCF-7 cells (IC50 = 14.87 ± 5.34 µg/ml) than pure EGN (30.72 ± 4.91 µg/ml). To support initial cytotoxicity findings, advanced procedures such as cell cycle analysis and genotoxicity were performed. Tumor weight reduction and survival rate were determined using different groups of mice. Both survival rates and tumor weight reduction were higher in the EGN-ChAgNPs (12.5 mg/kg) treated group than in the pure EGN treated group. Based on protein-ligand interactions, it might be proposed that eugenol had a favorable interaction with Aurora Kinase A. It was observed that C9 had the highest HYDE score of any sample, measuring at -6.8 kJ/mol. These results, in conjunction with physical and pharmacological evaluations, implies that EGN-ChAgNPs may be a suitable drug delivery method for treating breast cancer in a safe and efficient way.

Nanoparticle-laden contact lens for controlled release of vancomycin with enhanced antibiotic efficacy.

Vancomycin is the last resort antibiotic for the treatment of severe bacterial keratitis. Its clinical application is limited due to its hydrophilicity and high molecular weight. To overcome this, this study aims to develop nanoparticles-laden contact lens for controlled ocular delivery of vancomycin. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was used as encapsulant material. The nanoparticles had a negative surface charge and an average size of 147.6 nm. A satisfactory encapsulation efficiency (61.24%) was obtained. The release profile was observed to be slow and sustained, with a release rate of 1.29 µL mg-1 h-1 for 48 h. Five out of 6 test bacteria were suppressed by vancomycin nanoparticles-laden contact lens. Vancomycin is generally ineffective against Gram-negative bacteria and unable to pass through the outer membrane barrier. In this study, vancomycin inhibited Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Nano-encapsulation enables vancomycin to penetrate the Gram-negative cell wall and further destroy the bacterial cells. On Hohenstein challenge test, all test bacteria exhibited significant reduction in growth when exposed to vancomycin nanoparticles-laden contact lens. This study created an effective and long-lasting vancomycin delivery system via silicone hydrogel contact lenses, by using PVA as encapsulant. The antibiotic efficacy and vancomycin release should be further studied using ocular in vivo models.

Small Finger Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Chronic Arthritis Secondary to Leprosy: A Case Report.

Leprosy (Hansen's disease) is a multisystem, chronic infectious disease that still exists. It is caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Musculoskeletal features are non-consistent and can lead to misdiagnosis and mistreatment. We report the case of a 23-year-old male with the right small finger (RSF) proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthropathy related to leprosy. This was his first encounter with seeking medical advice regarding his condition. The patient was diagnosed and treated with surgical debridement, volar plate arthroplasty for the affected proximal interphalangeal joint, and the recommended multi-drug therapy regimen. The pathological effects of leprosy on the bones and joints have been attributed to several theories, with peripheral nerve neuropathy being the primary cause. Early detection of leprosy is crucial for effective management, preventing further disease transmission, and minimizing the risk of developing complications.

Enhancing the Toxicity of Cypermethrin and Spinosad against Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by Inhibition of Detoxification Enzymes.

The extensive use of wide-ranging insecticides in agricultural activities may develop resistance in insects. The dipping technique was utilized for examining changes in detoxifying enzyme levels in Spodoptera littoralis L. induced by cypermethrin (CYP) and spinosad (SPD) with and without a combination of three enzyme inhibitors: triphenyl phosphate (TPP), diethyl maleate (DEM), and piperonyl butoxide (PBO), at 70 µg/mL. PBO, DEM, and TPP showed 50% mortality against larvae at 236.2, 324.5, and 245.8 µg/mL, respectively. The LC50 value of CYP on S. littoralis larvae reduced from 2.86 µg/mL to 1.58, 2.26, and 1.96 µg/mL, while the LC50 value of SPD declined from 3.27 µg/mL to 2.34, 2.56, and 2.53, with the addition of PBO, DEM, and TPP, respectively, 24 h after treatment. Moreover, the activity of carboxylesterase (CarE), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (Cyp 450) was significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) by TPP, DEM, PBO plus CYP, and SPD in S. littoralis larvae in comparison with tested insecticides alone. These findings suggested that three enzyme inhibitors play a major role in increasing the toxicity of CYP and SPD in S. littoralis and will provide insight into how to overcome insecticide resistance in insects.

Projecting the potential cost-effectiveness of dapagliflozin for chronic kidney disease in Kuwait.

INTRODUCTION: In 2019, the prevalence of dialysis in Kuwait were 465 patient/million population, while the annual mortality rate among dialysis patients reached 12%. To improve resource allocation within the health care system, a cost-effectiveness model was conducted from a societal perspective to assess the cost-effectiveness of the use of dapagliflozin as an add-on-therapy against SoC (ramipril) among CKD patients with or without type-2 diabetes over their lifetime. METHODOLOGY: A Markov process model was utilized to assess the cost-effectiveness of dapagliflozin + ramipril versus ramipril alone on a cohort of patients with an eGFR of 25 to 75 mL/min/1.73, with or without type-2 diabetes and a urinary ACR of 200 to 5,000 over their lifetime. The model included nine health states: (i) the six stages of CKD representing stages 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4 and 5; (ii)ESRD, which represents RRT as dialysis or kidney transplant and (iii) death. Most of the clinical data were captured from the DAPA-CKD study. We assumed that the mortality risk of our study was similar to DAPA-CKD. The utility data were captured from different studies. Direct medical and indirect costs were captured from local data sources. Sensitivity analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The difference in QALY between dapagliflozin + ramipril versus ramipril was 0.2. The difference in cost between the two arms was KWD -4,120 (-USD25750). Dapagliflozin + ramipril generate better QALYs and lower costs than ramipril in CKD patients. Dapagliflozin improved the outcomes and generated cost savings in CKD patients. CONCLUSION: Adoption of dapagliflozin + ramipril is considered to be a cost saving option in addition to the improvement in QALYs in CKD patients with or without type-2 diabetes due to its nephroprotective effect, regardless of the aetiology of CKD, which eventually leads to reduction of dialysis and the transplantation cost burden on the Kuwaiti health care system. This study was focussed only on DAPA-CKD cohort.

Assessment of environmental and toxicity impacts and potential health hazards of heavy metals pollution of agricultural drainage adjacent to industrial zones in Egypt.

The objectives of this study were to assess the environmental impact of industrial wastewater disposal in the El-Khadrawiya agricultural drain, Menoufia Governorate, Egypt, as well as the effect on water, soil, and plant qualities in the drain's extension area, which was primarily adjacent to the industrial zone. The analyses results of wastewater at El-Khadrawiya drain revealed that heavy metal concentrations in water samples exceeded WHO permitted limits. Heavy metal levels followed the following pattern: (Pb > Zn > Cr > Cd > Ni > As), where Heavy metal levels average were: (1.8492 > 1.7857 > 0.1815 > 0.1578 > 0.059 > 0.0048. Wastewater, soil and plant samples were analyzed using (PerkinElmer AAnalyst 400 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer A Analyst 400), Heavy metal pollution evaluation indicators: Target hazard quotient (THQ), Hazard index (HI), Chronic daily intake (CDI), Carcinogenic risk (CR), and Heavy metals pollution index (HPI)) showed that a majority of samples discovered values referring to carcinogenic health risks for the population. In contrast, the soil contamination indices followed the same trend, with the contamination factor (CF) indicating that the majority of samples exposed low to medium levels of pollution for (Ni, Cd, and Zn), while Pb and Cr were between high and very high, and the contamination degree (Cd) and modified degree of contamination (mCd) indicating that the majority of samples revealed the medium level of pollution, with the exception of one site with a high level of contamination. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) revealed that heavy metal accumulation in plants exceeds the critical range. This study should be expanded to include additional agricultural regions with comparable conditions in order to provide environmental monitoring of present challenges and work toward solutions.

Characterization of a novel end product tolerant and thermostable cellulase from Neobacillus sedimentimangrovi UE25.

Recent advancements in biorefinery processes necessitate search for cost effective and thermostable cellulases. This study was designed to characterize the cellulase obtained from a thermophilic bacterium, Neobacillus sedimentimangrovi UE25. A combined pretreatment of NaOH and methyltrioctylammonium chloride was given to sugarcane bagasse (SB) for lignin removal and the pretreated SB was utilized as a carbon source for the cellulase production. The thermostable cellulase thus obtained was characterized by adopting central composite design which has not been reported earlier for this purpose. Cellulase showed its maximum activity at pH 7 and temperature 60 â„ƒ and it remained active in the presence of many salts and detergents. Endoglucanase (EG) was found to be stable for 30 min at 80 â„ƒ. The purification of EG by using DEAE column yielded specific activity and purification fold of 365.866 IU mg-1 and 4.264, respectively. The purified EG had a molecular weight of ∼45 kDa. End product tolerance of EG was also evident, as an activity of 228.57 IU mL-1 was observed in the presence of 60 mM glucose which revealed that it does not lose its activity upon accumulation of end-product when the reaction is prolonged. The purified EG exhibited Vmax and Km of 294 U mL-1 min-1 and 36 µM, respectively, in the presence of 60 mM glucose. This novel thermostable cellulase can finds its applications in industrial sector.

Effect of Inorganic and Organic Nitrogen Sources and Biofertilizer on Murcott Mandarin Fruit Quality.

Mandarin 'Murcott' (Citrus reticulata Blanco) trees aged five years that were grafted onto lemon 'Volkamer' (Citrus volkameriana) rootstock and grown in sandy soil under a drip irrigation system were used in this study during the growing seasons of 2018 and 2019. Ten different fertilization treatments combining inorganic, organic, and biofertilization in a completely randomized block were performed. The results revealed that fertilizing 'Murcott' mandarin trees with 75% of the recommended dose (RD) of nitrogen as inorganic nitrogen (33.5% N) in the form of NH4NO3 + 25% of RD as organic nitrogen in the form of chicken manure (3% N) per tree per year without or with a biofertilizer (Effective Microorganisms, EM1) at 150 mL/tree increased the weight, size, pulp, and peels of mandarin fruit, as well as the fruit juice volume, juice volume/fruit, and vitamin C, but reduced the total acidity in both seasons. However, fertilizing 'Murcott' mandarin trees with 100% of RD as inorganic nitrogen increased the pulp/fruit ratio, and fertilizing with 25% of RD as inorganic nitrogen + 75% of RD as organic nitrogen + biofertilizer EM1 increased the peel/fruit ratio, peel thickness, and fruit firmness. Fertilizing 'Murcott' mandarin trees with 100% organic nitrogen + biofertilizer EM1 increased total soluble solids (TSS) and total sugar contents while producing the lowest nitrate (NO3) percentage in 'Murcott' mandarin fruit compared with trees fertilized with inorganic nitrogen only. The fruit produced by 'Murcott' mandarin trees fertilized with 100% of RD as organic nitrogen with or without biofertilizer EM1 contained higher TSS, total carbohydrates, and sugars and lower nitrate percentages than those fertilized with inorganic nitrogen and biofertilizer EM1. This study contributes to reducing the use of inorganic fertilizers by adding a percentage of an organic fertilizer to obtain a healthy product that contains a lower percentage of NO3, which affects the health of the consumer, and is of high quality and suitable for export.