Physiological and histopathological effects of polystyrene nanoparticles on the filter-feeding fish Hypophthalmichthys molitrix.

Excessive use of plastics in daily life is causing plastic pollution in aquatic environment and threatening the aquatic life. Therefore, research on the plastic pollution in aquatic environment is crucial to understand its impact and develop effective solution for safeguarding aquatic life and ecosystem. The current study investigated the effects of water borne polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) on hemato-immunological indices, serum metabolic enzymes, gills, and liver antioxidant parameters, plasma cortisol level and histopathological changes in liver and gill tissues of the widely distributed fish Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. The fingerlings of H. molitrix were exposed to different concentrations (T1-0.5, T2-1.0, and T3-2.0 mg/L) of PS-NPs respectively for 15 days consecutively. Our results indicated the dose dependent negative effects of PS-NPs on the physiology and histopathology of H. molitrix. Immuno-hematological indices showed significant increase in WBCs count, phagocytic activity, and lysozyme activity, while decreased RBC count, Hct%, Hb level, total proteins, IgM, and respiratory burst activity were observed. The levels of antioxidant enzymes like SOD, CAT and POD showed the decreasing trends while metabolic enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP and LDH), LPO, ROS activities and relative expressions of SOD1, CAT, HIF1-α and HSP-70 genes increased with increased concentrations of PS-NPs. Moreover, blood glucose and cortisol levels also showed significant increasing trends with dose dependent manner. Histopathological examination indicated moderate to severe changes in the gills and liver tissues of the group treated with 2.0 mg/L of PS-NPs. Overall, the results showed the deleterious effects of PS-NPs on physiology, immunity, metabolism, and gene expressions of H. molitrix. It is concluded that particulate plastic pollution has deleterious effects on filter feeding fish, which might affect human health through food chain and particulate chemical toxicity.

Reduced toxic effects of nano­copper sulfate in comparison of bulk CuSO4 on biochemical parameters in the Rohu (Labeo rohita).

Considering the wide application of nanoparticles in various fields of life and growing concern regarding their toxic effects, the present study was designed with the aim to evaluate the potential risks of using copper sulfate nanoparticles (CuSO4-NPs) in comparison to bulk form. Nanoparticles of CuSO4, having mean size of 73 nm were prepared by ball milling method, and fingerlings of Labeo rohita were exposed to two levels, 20 and 100 µg L-1 of CuSO4 in both bulk and nano forms for 28 days and their comparative effects on the metallothioneins (MTs), heat shock proteins 70 (HSP 70), lipid profile, cholesterol (CHOL) and triglyceraldehyde (TG) levels, activities of some metabolic enzymes Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST) Akaline phosphatase (ALP), and genes expressions of HSP-70, TNF-α and IL1-ß were investigated. CuSO4 showed the concentration and particle type dependent effects. The over expression of HSPs and MTs, significant decreases in CHOL, TG, low density lipid (LDL) levels and ALP activity, while significant increases in high density lipid (HDL)level as well as ALT and AST activities and HSP-70, TNF-α and IL1-ß expressions were observed in response to higher concentration of both bulk and nano form of copper sulfate. At lower concentration (20 µg L-1), however, only bulk form showed toxicity. Thus, low concentrations of CuSO4-NPs pose negligible threat to freshwater fish.

Improving Convergence Speed of Bat Algorithm Using Multiple Pulse Emissions along Multiple Directions.

Metaheuristic algorithms are effectively used in searching some optical solution space. for optical solution. It is basically the type of local search generalization that can provide useful solutions for issues related to optimization. Several benefits are associated with this type of algorithms due to that such algorithms can be better to solve many issues in an effective way. To provide fast and accurate solutions to huge range of complex issues is one main benefit metaheuristic algorithms. Some metaheuristic algorithms are effectively used to classify the problems and BAT Algorithm (BA) is one of them is more popular in use to sort out issues related to optimization of theoretical and realistic. Sometimes BA fails to find global optima and gets stuck in local optima because of the absence of investigation and manipulation. We have improved the BA to boost its local searching ability and diminish the premature problem. An improved equation of search with more necessary information through the search is set for the generation of the solution. Test set of benchmark functions are utilized to verify the proposed method's performance. The results of simulation showed that proposed methods are best optimal solution as compare to others.

Toxicity of synthesized silver nanoparticles in a widespread fish: A comparison between green and chemical.

Metallic nanoparticles are gaining importance in various fields of life due to their large surface area to volume ratio. However, metallic nanoparticles pose different toxic effects on fish when they appear with different shapes and compositions in water. Herein the present study was designed to evaluate the median (LC50) and sub-lethal (1/10th of LC50) concentrations of Ag-Green NPs, 700 µg/L for Ag-Chem NPs, and 50 µg/L for Ag2O-Chem NPs were confirmed in Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. Furthermore, exposure of H. molitrix fingerlings to 10 % of LC50 concentration of these particles induced significantly higher (p < 0.05) activities of serum alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, white blood cells, acetylcholinesterase and catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, relative gene expressions of antioxidant enzymes, heat shock protein (Hsp70), hypoxia- inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) and lipid peroxidase level than the control, but decreased hematological parameters with less effects of Ag-Green NPs than chemically synthesized AgNPs. Moreover, the histopathological study also indicated morphological changes in the liver and gills of treated fish groups. The comparative toxicity evaluation revealed the maximum negative effect of Ag2O-Chem NPs followed by Ag-Chem NPs while Ag-Green NPs showed the least toxic effects. Based on our results, replacement of chemically synthesized NPs to green synthesized AgNPs can be recommended in large scale application to reduce the noxious effects to aquatic environment.

A facile and simple microwave-assisted synthesis method for mesoporous ultrathin iron sulfide nanosheets as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting.

The engineering of inexpensive, high-efficiency and stable electrodes related to both the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is highly desired for full water splitting devices to promote future advances in this energy technology. Therefore, a large surface area, rich in exposed surface atoms, and mesoporosity are very effective parameters in electrochemical reactions. Herein, we have, for the first time, synthesized free-standing mesoporous Fe3S4 nanosheets with a large surface area of 129.65 m2 g-1 through a microwave-assisted synthetic technique. Our present synthesis strategy demonstrates a facile and cost-effective method to overcome the obstacles of fabricating ultrathin two-dimensional graphene-like transition metal sulfide nanosheets. The as-synthesized Fe3S4 nanosheets are applied as both cathodic and anodic electrodes for full water electrolysis. Remarkably, Fe3S4 nanosheets can exhibit a small overpotential (η = 103 mV) to provide the required 10 mA cm-2 current density during the HER process. Meanwhile, a low overpotential of 230 mV is also exhibited for the OER process to allow a 10 mA cm-2 current density. Furthermore, the assembled full water splitting device can achieve potentials of 1.43 and 1.65 V at 10 and 100 mA cm-2 current densities, respectively, in an alkaline electrolyte with excellent cycling stability over 24 h. Our current study may provide an advanced channel for transition metal sulfide catalysts towards commercial water splitting applications.

Facile One-Step Microwave-Assisted Method to Synthesize Nickel Selenide Nanosheets for High-Performance Hybrid Supercapacitor.

Nanosheets structures can be employed as the most promising electrode material to enhance electrochemical performance for supercapacitors. Nickel Selenide (Ni0.85Se) nanosheets are synthesized using a rapid microwave synthesis method in a single step. The Ni0.85Se nanosheets possess a high surface area (125 m2g-1) with a hexagonal crystalline structure. It shows magnificent electrochemical properties, such as splendid specific capacitance (2530 Fg-1 at 0.5 Ag-1). An asymmetric hybrid supercapacitor is fabricated with nickel selenide nanosheets as a positive electrode and activated carbon as a negative electrode. The assembled hybrid supercapacitor displays a high energy density of 63.5 WhKg-1 at a power density of 404 WKg-1, and after 8000 cycles, only 5% capacitance is lost along with the better voltage window at 0-1.6 V.

Dietary supplementations of methionine improve growth performances, innate immunity, digestive enzymes, and antioxidant activities of rohu (Labeo rohita).

The dietary composition of fish constitutes numerous immune and growth-promoting substance; during the current study, methionine was amended in the diet of Labeo rohita (L. rohita), in order to appraise the diverse modulatory effects of methionine supplementation. Fish were grouped into three on the basis of methionine as methionine supplemented group 1 (MSG1), methionine supplemented group 2 (MSG2), and CTRL (control group). We assessed the effects of methionine at the end. Captivating results were obtained from the methionine supplementing groups. The results depict significantly high (p < 0.05) innate immunity parameters, including myeloperoxidase, IgG concentrations, lysozyme, respiratory burst, and total bacteriolytic activity of complement in MSG2. Furthermore, ameliorate growth performances were also noticed such as high weight gain, FCE%, and body length in MSG2, respectively. We also measured high level of antioxidant digestive enzymes, gut length, and survival rate in MSG2 compared to the rest of the groups. The results were further validated by measuring the stress parameters, such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glucose, and hematocrit (HCT%), and the concentration remains low in MSG2. Lastly, after 90 days, fish were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila, the highest survival was observed in the MSG2 and MSG1 compared to CTRL. These results ultimately give the baseline to the credible effects of methionine on L. rohita.

Cuprous Self-Doping Regulated Mesoporous CuS Nanotube Cathode Materials for Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries.

Copper sulfides are broadly explored as the possible cathode materials for rechargeable magnesium batteries on account of their high theoretical capacity of 560 mAh g-1. However, the CuS cathodes usually suffer from serious capacity decay caused by structure collapse during the repeated magnesiation/demagnesiation process. Herein, we present a cuprous self-doping strategy to synthesize mesoporous CuS nanotubes with robust structural stability for rechargeable magnesium batteries and regulate their electrochemical magnesium storage behavior. Electrochemical results show that the mesoporous CuS nanotubes can exhibit high specific capacity, remarkable cycling performance, and good rate capability. The observed discharge capacity of the mesoporous CuS nanotubes could reach about 281.2 mAh g-1 at 20 mA g-1 and 168.9 mAh g-1 at 500 mA g-1. Furthermore, a remarkable ultralong-term cyclic stability with a reversible capacity of 72.5 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1 is obtained after 550 cycles. These results demonstrate that the mesoporous nanotube structure and the simple cuprous self-doping effect could promote the practical application of copper sulfide cathode materials for rechargeable magnesium batteries.