Bifenthrin Residues in Table Grapevine: Method Optimization, Dissipation and Removal of Residues in Grapes and Grape Leaves.

The QuEChERS method was adjusted to determine bifenthrin residues in grapes and grape leaves. Extraction and cleanup procedures were optimized to decrease co-extracted materials and enhance the detection of bifenthrin. The method was validated per the European Union (EU) Guidelines criteria. Accuracy ranged from 98.8% to 93.5% for grapes and grape leaves, respectively. Precision values were 5.5 and 6.4 (RSDr) and 7.4 and 6.7 (RSDR) for grapes and grape leaves, respectively. LOQs (the lowest spiking level) were 2 and 20 µg/kg for grapes and grape leaves, respectively. Linearity as determination coefficient (R2) values were 0.9997 and 0.9964 for grapes and grape leaves, respectively, in a matrix over 1-100 µg/L range of analyte concentration. This was very close to the value in the pure solvent (0.9999), showing the efficiency of the cleanup in removing the co-extracted and co-injected materials; the matrix effect was close to zero in both sample matrices. Dissipation of bifenthrin was studied in a supervised trial conducted in a grapevine field during the summer of 2023 at the recommended dose and double the dose. Dissipation factor k values were 0.1549 and 0.1672 (recommended dose) and 0.235 and 0.208 (double dose) for grapes and grape leaves, respectively. Pre-harvest interval (PHI) was calculated for the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) values of the EU database. Residues of bifenthrin were removed effectively from grapes using simple washing with tap water in a laboratory study. Residues reached the MRL level of 0.3 mg/kg in both washing treatments, running or soaking in tap water treatments for 5 min. Removal from leaves did not decrease residue levels to the MRL in grape leaves.

Development of Green and Facile Sample Preparation Method for Determination of Seven Neonicotinoids in Fresh Vegetables, and Dissipation and Risk Assessment of Imidacloprid and Dinotefuran.

A facile procedure for extracting and determining seven neonicotinoids was developed. Water was the only extraction solvent without phase separation and cleanup steps. The method was validated according to European Union standards, and the values obtained were compared with the criteria. The accuracy values were between 99.8% (thiamethoxam) and 106.8% (clothianidin) at the spiking levels of 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/kg in the tested matrices. The precision as pooled RSD values was ≤6.1% (intra-day) and ≤6.9% (inter-day). The limit of quantification was set and tested at 0.01 mg/kg. The matrix effect was evaluated, and all matrices had a suppressive effect. The matrix of the cucumber was the most effective, with -20.9% for dinotefuran and an average of -9.8% for all compounds, while the tomato matrix had the slightest effect. Real marketed samples were analyzed using the developed and QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) methods; the results were not significantly different. A supervised field trial was conducted in the open field to study the dissipation patterns of imidacloprid and dinotefuran in tomatoes. The dissipation of both compounds followed first-order kinetics. The half-life (T½) values were 3.4 and 2.5 days, with dissipation rates k of 0.2013 and 0.2781 days, respectively. Following the EU-MRL database, the calculated pre-harvest interval (PHI) values were 7 and 14 days for imidacloprid and dinotefuran, respectively, and 3 days for both compounds following Codex Alimentarius regulations. The risk of imidacloprid and dinotefuran residues was estimated from chronic and acute perspectives. The risk factors of dinotefuran were lower than those of imidacloprid. Nonetheless, the highest expected residues of both compounds were below the tolerance limits.

Characterization and bioactivities of M. arvensis, V. officinalis and P. glabrum: In-silico modeling of V. officinalis as a potential drug source.

In current study the pharmaceutically active herbs was used against coccidiosis, caused by a protozoan: Eimeria, lead to $ 3 billion loss annually. The aqueous and methanolic extracts of whole plants were applied in-vitro to assess sporulation inhibition (spi) assay and calculated the inhibitory concentration (IC50). For in-vivo study 9 groups of 14 day old broiler chicks were infected with Eimeria tenella and three groups were treated different concentrations of methanolic extracts of Verbena officinalis and Polygonum glabrum post infection. The mean weight gain, oocyst count, diarrhea, biochemical tests, hematology, and histopathology of all groups were analyzed. The herbs were characterized by antioxidant assay, phytochemical screening, Fourier transmission and infrared (FT-IR), Ultra Violet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and Gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The GC-MS identified phyto-compounds of V. officinalis were docked with S-Adenosyl methionine (SAM) synthetase. The in-vitro study revealed that V. officinalis and P. glabrum have minimum IC50 of 0.14 and 12 mg/ml respectively. The in-vivo experiment showed that V. officinalis had significantly high anticoccidial potential with significant hematological profile like drug treated controls. The histology of treated chicks also showed recovery in the studied tissues. The antioxidant assay showed that V. officinalis have 4.19U/mg Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and 33.96 µM/mg Glutathione (GSH) quantities. The chemical characterization confirmed the presence of large number of organic compounds, however Flavonoids found only in V. officinalis, which suggests the anticoccidial potential of V. officinalis because flavonoids as antagonist of thiamine (Prinzo, 1999), because it promotes the carbohydrate synthesis required. Strychane, 1-acetyl-20a-hydroxy-16-methylene has best binding of with target protein with lowest binding score (-6.4 Kcal/mol), suggests its anticoccidial potential in poultry.

Bagarius bagarius, and Eichhornia crassipes are suitable bioindicators of heavy metal pollution, toxicity, and risk assessment.

Water quality index (WQI) of Narora channel and health of endemic fish Bagarius bagarius and plant Eichhornia crassipes, district Bulandshahar, Uttar Pradesh, India were studied. Among the physicochemical properties of water, pH, D.O, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Cd were above the recommended standards. These factors lead to high WQI (4124.83), indicating poor quality and not suitable for drinking and domestic usage. In fish tissues, the highest metal load was reported in the liver (58.29) and the lowest in the kidney (33.73). Heavy metals also cause a lowering of condition indices. As expected, decreased serum protein (- 63.41%) and liver glycogen (- 79.10%) were recorded in the exposed fish. However, blood glucose (47.22%) and serum glycogen (74.69%) showed elevation. In the plant, roots (21.50) contained the highest, and leaves (16.87) had the lowest heavy metal load. Bioaccumulation factor (BAF) > 1, indicates hyperaccumulation of all metals. E. crassipes roots showed the highest translocation factor (TF) > 1 for Ni (1.57) and Zn (1.30). The high mobility factor (MF) reflected the suitability of E. crassipes for phytoextraction of Mn, Cd, Zn, Fe, Ni, and Cu. Moreover, Bagarius sp. consumption could not pose any non-cancer risk. Although, lower cancer risk can be expected from Ni and Cr.

Biocidal action, characterization, and molecular docking of Mentha piperita (Lamiaceae) leaves extract against Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae.

Mosquitoes are found in tropical and subtropical areas and are the carriers of a variety of diseases that are harmful to people's health. e.g., malaria, filariasis, chikungunya, dengue fever, etc. Although several insecticides are available, however, due to insect resistance and environmental hazards, more eco-friendly chemicals are needed for insect control. So, the current research was planned to explore the prospective of Mentha piperita to be used for the formulation of larvicides against mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. The ethanolic and water extracts of M. piperita leaves were prepared using the soxhlet apparatus. The extracts were dried and subjected to prepare five concentrations multiple of 80 ppm. Each concentration was applied for its larvicidal efficacy setting an experiment (in triplicate) in plastic containers of 1000 ml with extracts, 30 larvae of all four instars separately, and fed with dog biscuits along with controls. Observations were taken after each 12 hrs. till 72 hrs. The antioxidant perspective of M. piperita was determined by DPPH radical scavenging, total antioxidant capacity, and ferric reducing power assays. Using brine shrimp lethality bioactivity, the cytotoxic study was perceived. Standard techniques were used to classify the M. piperita extract using preliminary qualitative and quantitative phytochemicals, UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, and GC-MS analysis. M. piperita ethanolic leaves extract after 24 hrs. of exposure in 400 ppm showed 93% (LC50 = 208.976 ppm) mortality in ethanolic extract and 80% (LC90 = 246.900 ppm) in the water extract. In treated larvae, biochemical examination revealed a substantial (P<0.05) decrease in proteins, carbohydrates, and fat contents. The ethanol extract of M. piperita was the most efficient, killing brine shrimp nauplii in 50% to 90% of cases. TAC (125.4 3.5gAAE/mg DW) and FRP (378.1 1.0gAAE/mg DW) were highest in the ethanolic extract of M. piperita. The presence of medicinally active components such as alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, and others in M. piperita leaves extract in ethanol was discovered. The UV-Vis spectrum showed two peaks at 209.509 and 282.814 nm with the absorption of 2.338 and 0.796 respectively. The FT-IR consequences exhibited the occurrence of alcohols, alkanes, aldehyde, aromatic rings, ether linkage, ester, and halo- compounds. The GC-MS analysis according to peak (%) area and retention time showed ten phytochemicals consisting of six major and four minor compounds. Among all the compounds, 1, 2-benzene dicarboxylic acid, and 3-ethyl-5, 5-dimethyl -6-phenyl bound well to the NS3 protease domain with PDB ID: 2FOM. Hence, for the prevention of health hazards and mosquito control, M. Piperita is a potential source of chemicals for insecticide formulation.

Bio-purification of domestic wastewater through constructed wetland planted with Paspalidium flavidum.

The current study was aimed to designed laboratory scale constructed wetland (CW) for the treatment of domestic wastewater under temperature range (18-38°C) and hydraulic retention times (24 and 48 h). Besides, the soil of vegetative unit of CW was assessed using conventional culturing techniques, and 13 different bacterial species (Escherichia coli, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas, Proteus, Klebsiella, Streptococcus, Alcaligenes, Salmonella, Bacillus, Enterobacter, Staphylococcus, Shigella and Corynebacterium spp.) were determined. The pathogenic microbial load was high in influent samples, but after treatment, about 73.1-99.7% and 43.5-86.7% reduction in CFU/ml and MPN/100 ml index, respectively, were observed. Moreover, the organic loads in terms of COD, TDS, TSS, and turbidity were high in all influent samples, but after treatment, average percentage removal in different physico-chemical parameters was observed during overall treatment operations, that is, COD (59.7-65.6%), TDS (59.6-76.8%), TSS (64.9-76.7%), and turbidity (72.7-91.6%), while pH of the effluent samples was observed in the prescribed limits. It was concluded that laboratory scale CW using natural flora Paspalidium flavidum and bacterial species was efficient in the reduction of different pollution indicators and hence a best option to be modified on pilot-scale for wastewater treatment in the rural regions of Peshawar. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Role of retention times on performance of CW were studied. The commonly existing vegetation was utilized to treat domestic waste water. Both vegetations and HRT are key ingredients in obtaining high treatment efficiency.

Application of microbial immobilization technology for remediation of Cr(VI) contamination: A review.

The discharge of chromium (Cr) contaminated wastewater is creating a serious threat to aquatic environment due to the rapid pace in agricultural and industrial activities. Particularly, the long-term exposure of Cr(VI) polluted wastewater to the environment is causing serious harm to human health. Therefore, the treatment of Cr(VI) contaminated wastewater is demanding widespread attention. Regarding this, the bioremediation is being considered as a reliable and feasible option to handle Cr(VI) contaminated wastewater because of having low technical investment and operating costs. However, certain factors such as loss of microorganisms, toxicity to microorganisms and uneven microbial growth cycle in the presence of high concentrations of Cr(VI) are hindering its commercial applications. Regarding this, microbial immobilization technology (MIT) is getting great research interest because it could overcome the shortcomings of bioremediation technology's poor tolerance against Cr. Therefore, this review is the first attempt to emphases recent research developments in the remediation of Cr(VI) contamination via MIT. Starting from the selection of immobilized carrier, the present review is designed to critically discuss the various microbial immobilizing methods i.e., adsorption, embedding, covalent binding and medium interception. Further, the mechanism of Cr(VI) removal by immobilized microorganism has also been explored, precisely. In addition, three kinds of microorganism immobilization devices have been critically examined. Finally, knowledge gaps/key challenges and future perspectives are also discussed that would be helpful for the experts in improving MIT for the remediation of Cr(VI) contamination.

Minocycline-Derived Silver Nanoparticles for Assessment of Their Antidiabetic Potential against Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice.

Diabetes is a life-threatening disease, and chronic diabetes affects parts of the body including the liver, kidney, and pancreas. The root cause of diabetes is mainly associated with oxidative stress produced by reactive oxygen species. Minocycline is a drug with a multi-substituted phenol ring and has shown excellent antioxidant activities. The objective of the present study was to investigate the antidiabetic potential of minocycline-modified silver nanoparticles (mino/AgNPs) against alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The mino/AgNPs were synthesized using minocycline as reducing and stabilizing agents. UV-visible, FT-IR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied for the characterization of mino/AgNPs. A 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging assay was conducted to determine the antioxidant potential of newly synthesized mino/AgNPs. The results revealed that the mino/AgNPs showed higher radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 19.7 µg/mL) compared to the minocycline (IC50 = 26.0 µg/mL) and ascorbic acid (IC50 = 25.2 µg/mL). Further, mino/AgNPs were successfully employed to examine their antidiabetic potential against alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Hematological results showed that the mice treated with mino/AgNPs demonstrated a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose level and lipid profile compared to the untreated diabetic group. A histopathological examination confirmed that the diabetic mice treated with mino/AgNPs showed significant recovery and revival of the histo-morphology of the kidney, central vein of the liver, and islet cells of the pancreas compared to the untreated diabetic mice. Hence, mino/AgNPs have good antidiabetic potential and could be an appropriate nanomedicine to prevent the development of diabetes.

Levels of residues and dietary risk assessment of the fungicides myclobutanil, penconazole, tebuconazole, and triadimenol in squash.

Triazole fungicides may potentially harm human health. The 'quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe' approach has become popular for extraction and cleanup during pesticide residue analysis. We aimed to (a) validate a method for the simultaneous determination of myclobutanil, penconazole, tebuconazole, and triadimenol in squash using LC-MS/MS and (b) determine the pre-harvest intervals (PHIs) and assess the related risk of consuming squash cultivated under open-field conditions in Saudi Arabia. Using acetonitrile as the extraction solvent and fourfold dilution in deionized water led to weak signal suppression (<-6.1%). The limits of quantitation ranged from 10 to 40 µg/kg. Mean recovery and relative standard deviation ranged from 81.7 to 96.3% and from 3.6 to 11.4%. The half-lives ranged from 2.22 to 3.83 days, and the dissipation followed first-order kinetics. The terminal residues of myclobutanil, penconazole, tebuconazole, and triadimenol were <0.771, <0.307, <0.459, and <0.954 mg/kg, respectively, 7 days after two or three applications of recommended dosages. The PHIs of 7.1-11.4, 8.7-13.1, 3.8-5.3, and 11.3-14.3 days are suggested after the application of the recommended dose and double the recommended dose. A consumer risk assessment based on estimated dietary intake indicated that the consumption of squash treated with the recommended doses does not pose a significant health risk.

Molecular epidemiological survey of cutaneous leishmaniasis from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an emerging neglected tropical disease in Azad Jammu and Kashmir which is an underdeveloped area. Prevalence and parasite species identification are the key factors to control disease in a particular population, which were the objectives of the present study. Due to a lack of previous data, we performed a district-based active CL surveillance in 2018. The data of CL, suspected (n = 20,000) cases were analyzed statistically and identified the parasite species in microscopic positive cases by ITS1-PCR RFLP and also obtained accession numbers MN891719-28 from gene Bank. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA6 software. Out of 20,000 CL, suspected cases the highest rate of 4.02% (135/3360) of CL in Mirpur and the lowest 1.58% (8/505) in Neelum was reported. The slide positivity rate, annual parasite incidence rate and annual blood examination rate were 2.27 per 1000 population, 0.08 and 0.34%. The males were more infected 58.12% (297/511) than females 41.88% (214/511) and the age group of 1-20 years were found highly infected 82.78% (423/511) than 21-40 years 13.89% (71/511) and 41-60 years 3.33% (17/511) in the studied population. The patients 56.36% (288/511) had a single lesion whereas 29.35% (150/511) had two, only 10.76% (31/288) and 8% (12/150) were using bed nets. The patients 14.29% (73/511) had three or more lesions were not using bed nets. Only 27.98% (143/511) patients had received treatment, while 72.02% (368/511) didn't. Microscopically positive cases were found to be 2.56% (511/20,000) and ITS1-PCR positive cases were found to be 91.39% (467/511). The RFLP assay confirmed the presence of Leishmania tropica in 467 samples.

Regulation of signaling pathways by Ampelopsin (Dihydromyricetin) in different cancers: exploring the highways and byways less travelled.

Ampelopsin or Dihydromyricetin is gradually emerging as a high-quality natural product because of its ability to modulate wide-ranging signaling pathways. Ampelopsin (Dihydromyricetin) has been reported to effectively modulate growth factor receptor (VEGFR2 and PDGFRß) mediated signaling,  TRAIL/TRAIL-R pathway, JAK/STAT and mTOR-driven signaling in different cancers. Ampelopsin (Dihydromyricetin) has also been shown to exert inhibitory effects on the versatile regulators which trigger EMT (Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition). Findings obtained from in-vitro studies are encouraging and there is a need to comprehensively analyze how Ampelopsin (Dihydromyricetin) inhibits tumor growth in different cancer models. Better knowledge of efficacy of Ampelopsin (Dihydromyricetin) in tumor bearing mice will be helpful in maximizing its translational potential.

MicroRNA-143 as a new weapon against cancer: overview of the mechanistic insights and long non-coding RNA mediated regulation of miRNA-143 in different cancers.

Central dogma of molecular biology, a term coined by Francis Crick in 1958 was considered to be the cornerstone of molecular biology unless molecular biologists challenged the idea after ground-breaking discovery of non-coding RNAs. Discovery of microRNAs marked a new era and revolutionized our understanding related to puzzling mysteries about intermediate steps between transcription and translation. Technological advancements have spawned a multitude of platforms for profiling of long-noncoding RNAs and miRNAs in different cancers. Detailed investigation of mRNA targets of miRNAs has enabled high-order analyses of interconnected networks and revealed affected pathways in different cancers. miR-143 has emerged as a multi-talented tumor suppressor microRNA having considerable ability to inhibit and prevent cancer via regulation of myriad of oncogenes. In this review, we will summarize most recent evidence related to characteristically unique ability of miR-143 to target different oncogenic mRNAs in different cancers. We will also comprehensively discuss how scientists have identified multiple long non-coding RNAs reportedly involved in promoting the expression of oncogenes by interfering with miR-143 mediated targeting of these oncogenes. Because of excellent ability of miR-143 to effectively target oncogenic mRNAs, researchers have started to focus on use of miR-143 mimics to restore expression of miR-143 in various cancers.

Apigenin as an effective anticancer natural product: Spotlight on TRAIL, WNT/ß-catenin, JAK-STAT pathways, and microRNAs.

Wealth of information gleaned from decades of high-impact research work; scientists have disentangled the complicated web of versatile regulators that underlie cancer development and progression. Use of structural biology approaches and functional genomics have helped us to gain new insights into complex nature of cancer, and it is now clear that genetic/epigenetic mutations, overexpression of oncogenes, inactivation of tumor suppressors, loss of apoptosis, and versatility of protein binding partners have contributory roles in carcinogenesis and metastatic spread. It is becoming progressively more understandable that reprogramming of gene expression during and nontranscriptional changes during cancer development and progression are initiated and controlled by deregulated signal transduction cascades, all of which collectively create an incalculable complexity. Data obtained through preclinical and clinical trials revealed that alterations in the targeted oncogenes and other downstream, and parallel pathways played a central role in the development of resistance against different therapeutics. Phytochemicals have regained limelight, and different natural products are currently being tested for efficacy in preclinical studies. Apigenin, a plant-derived flavonoid has considerable pharmacological value and is reportedly involved in the regulation of different signaling cascades. In this review, we have attempted to summarize rapidly evolving understanding of molecular biologists and pharmacologists about the potential of apigenin in the regulation of deregulated signaling pathways in different cancers. We have emphasized on the regulation of WNT/ß-catenin and janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathways. We also comprehensively discuss how apigenin restored apoptosis in tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-resistant cancers. The review also gives a snapshot of microRNAs (miRNAs) that regulate wide-ranging biological processes, and it is now clear that each miRNA can control hundreds of gene targets. Apigenin was noted to upregulate miR-520b and miR-101 in different cancers to inhibit tumor growth. Moreover, apigenin-induced apoptotic rate was significantly higher when used in combination with miR-423-5p inhibitors or miR-138 mimics. Better comprehension of linear and integrated signaling pathways will be helpful in effective therapeutic targeting of deregulated signaling pathways to inhibit/prevent cancer.

Maslinic acid as an effective anticancer agent.

Maslinic acid (2α,3ß-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid) is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenic compound. Maslinic acid is gradually gaining attention as an excellent pharmacologically active product because of its premium biological properties. In this review we will focus on chemopreventive properties of Maslinic acid against different cancers. Seemingly, available data is limited and we have yet to unravel how Maslinic acid therapeutically targeted oncogenic cell signal transduction cascades in different cancers. Moreover, there are visible knowledge gaps about the ability of Maslinic acid to modulate oncogenic and tumor suppressor microRNAs in various cancers.