Biosynthesis of selenium nanoparticles using cell-free extract of Xenorhabdus cabanillasii GU480990 and their potential mosquito larvicidal properties against yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti.

Nanomaterials are successful due to their numerous applications in various domains such as cancer treatment, environmental applications, drug and gene delivery. Selenium is a metalloid element with broad biological activities and low toxicity especially at the nanoscale. Several studies have shown that nanoparticles synthesized from microbial and plant extracts are effective against important pests and pathogens. This study describes the bio fabrication of selenium nanoparticles using cell free extract of Xenorhabdus cabanillasii (XC-SeNPs) and assessed their mosquito larvicidal properties. Crystallographic structure and size of XC-SeNPs were determined with UV-a spectrophotometer, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), Zeta potential and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The significant surface plasmon resonance at 275 nm indicated the synthesis of XC-SeNPs from the pure cell-free extract of X. cabanillasii. The XRD result exhibits the crystalline nature of XC-SeNPs. The Zeta potential analysis confirmed that the surface charge of XC-SeNPs was -24.17 mV. TEM analysis revealed that synthesized XC-SeNPs were monodispersed, spherically shaped, and sized about 80-200 nm range. In addition, the larvicidal potentials of the bio-fabricated XC-SeNPs were assessed against the 4th-instar Ae. aegypti. XC-SeNPs displayed a dose-dependent larvicidal effect; the larval mortality was 13.3 % at the minimum evaluated concentration and increased to 72 % at higher dose treatments. The LC50 and LC90 concentration of XC-SeNPs against mosquito larvae were 79.4 and 722.4 ppm, respectively.

OralNet: Fused Optimal Deep Features Framework for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Detection.

Humankind is witnessing a gradual increase in cancer incidence, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, and follow-up clinical protocols. Oral or mouth cancer, categorized under head and neck cancers, requires effective screening for timely detection. This study proposes a framework, OralNet, for oral cancer detection using histopathology images. The research encompasses four stages: (i) Image collection and preprocessing, gathering and preparing histopathology images for analysis; (ii) feature extraction using deep and handcrafted scheme, extracting relevant features from images using deep learning techniques and traditional methods; (iii) feature reduction artificial hummingbird algorithm (AHA) and concatenation: Reducing feature dimensionality using AHA and concatenating them serially and (iv) binary classification and performance validation with three-fold cross-validation: Classifying images as healthy or oral squamous cell carcinoma and evaluating the framework's performance using three-fold cross-validation. The current study examined whole slide biopsy images at 100× and 400× magnifications. To establish OralNet's validity, 3000 cropped and resized images were reviewed, comprising 1500 healthy and 1500 oral squamous cell carcinoma images. Experimental results using OralNet achieved an oral cancer detection accuracy exceeding 99.5%. These findings confirm the clinical significance of the proposed technique in detecting oral cancer presence in histology slides.

Natural infestation of an anchor worm, Lernaea sp. in cage culture of Asian Seabass, Lates calcarifer juveniles and its control using an anti-parasitic drug, emamectin benzoate.

Parasitic infestations and their control programmes are one among the challenges to be considered the most significant in aquaculture. A parasitic infestation was studied elaborately in Asian Seabass, Lates calcarifer juveniles with clinical signs, post-mortem findings, morphological and molecular identifications. In addition, those fish were also treated with emamectin benzoate (EMB) @ 50 µg kg-1 of fish body weight (BW) d-1 for 10 consecutive days under the controlled wet lab facility by feeding through the medicated feed at 4% BW. Results showed that the parasitic prevalence, parasitic intensity (PI) and mortality were 45.5%, 8.17 ± 0.15 per fish and 40% over a period of one week in that existing cage culture. The parasite was identified as a crustacean bloodsucker, anchor worm Lernaea sp. and EMB was found to be 100% effective with significant reduction in PI over a period of 10 days with improved survival rate of 90% against the untreated group. Infested but treated group revealed substantial haematological improvement in parameters such as RBC, WBC, Hb, PCV, large lymphocytes, small lymphocytes and total lymphocytes (P < 0.01). Similarly, comparative histopathology of vital organs also revealed no discernible lesions between the healthy and treated fish juvenile as compared to that of infested untreated group. Hence, EMB can be used to control the Lernaea sp. infestation in Asian Seabass.

SARS-CoV-2 and its new variants: a comprehensive review on nanotechnological application insights into potential approaches.

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) spreads and develops quickly worldwide as a new global crisis which has left deep socio-economic damage and massive human mortality. This virus accounts for the ongoing outbreak and forces an urgent need to improve antiviral therapeutics and targeted diagnosing tools. Researchers have been working to find a new drug to combat the virus since the outbreak started in late 2019, but there are currently no successful drugs to control the SARS-CoV-2, which makes the situation riskier. Very recently, new variant of SARS-CoV-2 is identified in many countries which make the situation very critical. No successful treatment has yet been shown although enormous international commitment to combat this pandemic and the start of different clinical trials. Nanomedicine has outstanding potential to solve several specific health issues, like viruses, which are regarded a significant medical issue. In this review, we presented an up-to-date drug design strategy against SARS-CoV-2, including the development of novel drugs and repurposed product potentials were useful, and successful drugs discovery is a constant requirement. The use of nanomaterials in treatment against SARS-CoV-2 and their use as carriers for the transport of the most frequently used antiviral therapeutics are discussed systematically here. We also addressed the possibilities of practical applications of nanoparticles to give the status of COVID-19 antiviral systems.

In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-infective Potential of Thymol Against Early Childhood Caries Causing Dual Species Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans.

Early childhood caries (ECC), a severe form of caries due to cross-kingdom interaction of Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans, is a serious childhood dental disease that affects majority of the children with poor background. The present study investigated the anti-infective potential of thymol against C. albicans and S. mutans dual species for the management of ECC. Thymol, a plant derivative of the monoterpene group, has been well known for its numerous biological activities. Thymol at 300 µg/ml concentration completely arrested growth and proliferation of dual species of C. albicans and S. mutans. Rapid killing efficacy of pathogens, within a span of 2 min, was observed in the time kill assay. In addition, at sub-inhibitory concentrations, thymol effectively diminished the biofilm formation and virulence of both C. albicans and S. mutans such as yeast-to-hyphal transition, hyphal-to-yeast transition, filamentation, and acidogenicity and acidurity, respectively, in single and dual species state. qPCR analysis was consistent with virulence assays. Also, through the invertebrate model system Galleria mellonella, in vivo toxicity and efficacy of the phytocompound was assessed, and it was found that no significant toxic effect was observed. Moreover, thymol was found to be proficient in diminishing the infection under single and dual state in in vivo condition. Overall, the results from the present study illustrate the anti-infective potential of thymol against the ECC-causing dual species, C. albicans and S. mutans, and the applicability of thymol in medicated dentifrice formulation.

Broodstock development and captive maturation of hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) in a brackishwater pond-based system.

Successful captive broodstock development of clupeid fish, hilsa, is one of the major challenges for the artificial propagation of this economically valued fish. The present study provides novel insights into the pond-reared captive broodstock development of hilsa using artificial feed. In the present study, wild collected hilsa fry (weight 1.35 ± 0.13 g, length 53.84 ± 0.95 mm) were reared in grow-out ponds for 6 months followed by maintaining them as broodstock in other ponds using formulated feed in both cases. After 6 months of pond rearing, the average body weight and length of fish were 66.76 ± 4.53 g and 184.75 ± 3.65 mm, respectively. In broodstock ponds, hilsa subadults fed with formulated feed (crude protein 41.06%) ensured significant advancement in ovarian maturity with gonado somatic index of 9.09%, enhanced secondary yolk stage oocytes of 91.66% and enlargement of oocyte diameters up to 570 µm. The broodstock reached somatic growth such as average body weight and average body length of 383.80 ± 27.38 g and 339.33 ± 9.68 mm, respectively, with a condition factor of 1.06 ± 0.15. Gut content analysis revealed the better acceptability of the artificial feed. Lipid profiling of muscle and ovary during gonadal maturation revealed mobilization of fat from muscle to ovary and selective retention of some fatty acids (i.e., C14:0, C18:0, C20:5, C22:6 and C20:4) in the ovary, which might help in gonadal maturation. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Successful rearing of wild-caught hilsa juvenile in captive condition using formulated feed showed its potential as aquaculture species in low saline conditions. Advance stage of maturation in low saline captive conditions showed the possibility for induced breeding of hilsa, a high priced anadromous fish. Mobilization of fat from muscle to ovary and selective retention of some fatty acids in the ovary showed the scope of dietary manipulation for broodstock development of hilsa.

Isolation and growth inhibition potential of entomopathogenic nematodes against three public health important mosquito vectors.

The prevalence of mosquito vector borne diseases and the resistance of mosquitoes to conventional pesticides have been of important public concern to the mosquito endemic countries. Present study was conducted to identify the native bio-larvicidal potential of the entomopathogenic nematodes; Steinernema siamkayai (KPR-4) Heterohabditis indica (KPR-8), Steinernema glaseri and Steinernema abbasi. The isolated nematodes were subsequently cultured and evaluated their larvicidal potential against the larvae of Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus. Among the tested four different nematode species, the S. abassi exerted the highest mortality against A. aegypti (97.33%), the H. indica (KPR-8) against A. stephensi (97.33%) and the S. siamkayai (KPR-4) against C. quinquefasciatus (98.67%). The maximal mosquito-larvicidal property of EPNs was found with the LC50 and LC90 values (IJs/larvae): S. abbasi = 12.47 & 54.35 on A. aegypti; H. indica KPR-8 = 19.88 & 66.81 on A. stephensi and S. siamkayai KPR-4 = 16.69 & 58.97 on C. quinquefasciatus, respectively. The presently generated data on the molecular and larvicidal characteristics of the entomopathogenic nematodes form an important baseline data that upon further research would lead to the development of eco-friendly mosquito-control agent.

Lantana camara Linn root extract-mediated gold nanoparticles and their in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic potentials.

The Lantana camara Linn root extract derived gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were characterized by Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, fourier transform-infrared, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction pattern and energy dispersive X-ray analyses. In DPPH assay, the inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Au NPs and gallic acid was 24.17 and 5.39 µg/ml, whereas, for cytotoxicity assay, the IC50 of Au NPs was 17.72 and 32.98 µg/ml on MBA-MB-231 and Vero cells, respectively. Thus, the Au NPs possess significant in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic properties which could be considered as potential alternate for the development of anticancer drug in future.

Response of three cyprinid fish species to the Scavenger Deterrent Factor produced by the mutualistic bacteria associated with entomopathogenic nematodes.

The symbiotic bacteria, Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus associated with entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in the genera Heterorhabditis and Steinernema, respectively, produce a compound(s) called the Scavenging Deterrent Factor (SDF). SDF deters a number of terrestrial insect scavengers and predators and one bird species from feeding on host insects killed by the nematode-bacterium complex but has not been tested against aquatic vertebrates. Moreover, the Heterorhabditis-Photorhabdus association is believed to have evolved in an aquatic environment. Accordingly, we hypothesized that SDF will deter fish from feeding on nematode-killed insects and tested the responses of three omnivorous fresh water fish species, Devario aequipinnatus, Alburnoides bipunctatus, and Squalius pursakensis, to SDF in the laboratory. When the fish were exposed to Galleria mellonella larvae killed by the Heterorhabditis- or Steinernema-bacterium complex at 2 or 4days post-infection, all three fish species made several attempts to consume the cadavers but subsequently rejected them. However, all fish species consumed freeze-killed control larvae. In a choice test, when D. aequipinnatus or A. bipunctatus were offered a pair of nematode-killed larvae, both fish species rejected these cadavers; when offered a nematode-killed larva and a freeze-killed larva, both fish species consumed the freeze-killed larva but not the nematode-killed one. In further tests with D. aequipinnatus, there was no significant difference in the number of 2-day-old Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki-killed (Btk) larvae consumed compared to freeze-killed larvae, but significantly fewer 4-day-old Btk-killed larvae were consumed compared to freeze-killed larvae. When D. aequipinnatus was fed G. mellonella larvae killed by the symbiotic bacteria, the fish rejected the cadavers. When given freeze-killed or nematode-killed mosquito (Aedes aegypti) larvae, the fish consumed significantly more of the former larvae (99%) compared to the latter (55%). When D. aequipinnatus was placed in a symbiotic cell-free supernatant for 18h, a significant reduction in consumption of freeze-killed larvae compared to cell-free Btk or control broth supernatant was observed. We showed that SDF protects the nematode-killed insects from being consumed by omnivorous fishes and suggests that they will have minimal effects on recycling of EPNs in the aquatic environment.

Hepatoprotective efficacy of Hypnea muciformis ethanolic extract on CCl4 induced toxicity in rats

The ethanolic extract of Hypnea muciformis (red algae) was tested for hepatoprotective activity against experimentally induced liver damage by Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in male albino rats. The levels of serum enzymatic and biochemical parameters such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase, 5' nucleotidase, bilirubin, creatinine, urea, triglycerides, lipid peroxides and albumin were determined. The CCI4 induced lesions in the liver significant increased the levels of serum marker enzymes SGPT and SGOT, bilirubin, creatinine and decreased urea. The oral treatment with ethanolic extract of H. muciformis exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity by reducing the CCL4 caused changes in the biochemical parameters such as total protein, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and urea. These parameters were restored towards the normal levels as shown by the enzymatic tests. In addition, H. muciformis significantly decreased the liver weight of CCl4 intoxicated rats. Apparently the H. muciformis extract interfered with the free radical formation, which resulted in hepatoprotective activity. Acute toxicity studies revealed that the LD50 value was more than 3 g/kg body weight. These results clearly indicated that this seaweed contained some active principles in its ethanolic extract which acted as an antidote against the hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4.

Dengue epidemiology in Thanjavur and Trichy district, Tamilnadu--Jan 2011-Dec 2011.

BACKGROUND: Dengue infection is emerging as a serious public health problem in Tamil Nadu. An enhanced surveillance system can generate information on the epidemiology of the disease, which is essential for planning and development of relevant control/preventive measures against Dengue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective descriptive study was undertaken between January 2011 to December 2011, by testing suspected Dengue patients attending Thanjavur Medical College and Trichy Hospital (TMCH, a major Government referral hospital in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu, India) to define the magnitude of Dengue burden, the natural history of this disease in terms of clinical presentation and outcome of the infections in hospitalized Dengue patients. The sera collected from suspected patients were analyzed for Dengue specific IgM and IgG antibodies by IgM antibody capture enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using NIV kit and IgGPanBio Duo Rapid Immunochromatographic Card Test (Brisbane, Australia). The clinical case definition by World Health Organization was adopted to categorize the Dengue cases. RESULTS: The total number of samples screened during the period was 200, out of which 79 (39.5%) were positive for IgM and IgG antibodies and 65 (32%) for IgM antibodies only. By clinical evaluation, Dengue fever was diagnosed in 43 patients, 18 had hemorrhagic manifestations and four patients had progressed to DSS. Though (DSS+DHF) was present in 22 patients, all of them recovered well. CONCLUSION: In developing countries like India, building of laboratory with advanced capacity for diagnosis and combat-mode ready preparedness for the management of Dengue cases in emergency situation may reduce Dengue-related mortality.