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Across the globe, the frequent occurrence of drought spells has significantly undermined the sustainability of modern high-input farming systems, particularly those focused on staple crops like wheat. To ameliorate the deleterious impacts of drought through a biologically viable and eco-friendly approach, a study was designed to explore the effect of nicotinic acid on different metabolic, and biochemical processes, growth and yield of wheat under optimal moisture and drought stress (DS). The current study was comprised of different levels of nicotinic acid applied as foliar spray (0 g L−1, 0.7368, 1.477, 2.2159 g L−1) and fertigation (0.4924, 0.9848, and 1.4773 g L−1) under normal conditions and imposed drought by withholding water at anthesis stage. The response variables were morphological traits such as roots and shoots characteristics, yield attributes, grain and biological yields along with biosynthesis of antioxidants. The results revealed that nicotinic acid dose of 2.2159 g L−1 out-performed rest of treatments under both normal and DS. The same treatment resulted in the maximum root growth (length, fresh and dry weights, surface area, diameter) and shoot traits (length, fresh and dry weights) growth. Additionally, foliar applied nicotinic acid (2.2159 g L−1) also produced as the highest spike length, grains spike−1, spikelet's spike−1 and weight of 1000 grains. Moreover, these better yield attributes led to significantly higher grain yield and biological productivity of wheat. Likewise in terms of physiological growth of wheat under DS, the same treatment remained superior by recording the highest SPAD value, relative water content, water potential of leaves, leaf area, stomatal conductance (292 mmolm−2S−1), internal carbon dioxide concentration, photosynthesis and transpiration rate. Interestingly, exogenously applied nicotinic acid remained effective in triggering the antioxidant system of wheat by recording significantly higher catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase. [Display omitted] • Nicotinic acid enhances morpho-physiological traits, promoting better adaptation to water scarcity. • Wheat plants treated with nicotinic acid exhibit improved growth and development under drought conditions. • The application of nicotinic acid hold potential to enhance drought tolerance in wheat, with potential implications for agricultural productivity in water-limited environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidants or nanoparticles have recently been identified as constituents of aerosols released from various styles of electronic cigarettes (E-cigs). Cells in the lung may be directly exposed to these constituents and harbor reactive properties capable of incurring acute cell injury. Our results show mitochondria are sensitive to both E-cig aerosols and aerosol containing copper nanoparticles when exposed to human lung fibroblasts (HFL-1) using an Air-Liquid Interface culture system, evident by elevated levels of mitochondrial ROS (mtROS). Increased mtROS after aerosol exposure is associated with reduced stability of OxPhos electron transport chain (ETC) complex IV subunit and nuclear DNA fragmentation. Increased levels of IL-8 and IL-6 in HFL-1 conditioned media were also observed. These findings reveal both mitochondrial, genotoxic, and inflammatory stresses are features of direct cell exposure to E-cig aerosols which are ensued by inflammatory duress, raising a concern on deleterious effect of vaping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemokines are small secreted proteins that regulate the immune system by signaling through chemokine receptors to induce immune cell migration, motility, and infiltration into the tissue. Altered chemokine/receptor expression is associated with numerous inflammatory diseases, and more recently in non-immune cell diseases like cancer. Emerging new studies demonstrate that chemokines can directly modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME) to assist tumorigenesis by regulating proinflammatory signaling, immune cell infiltration,and metastasis. However, the diversity and complexity in the regulation of chemokine expression and how chemokine receptor signaling influences TME needs comprehensive understanding. One mechanistic pathway that has shown promising early results in targeting tumor progression is the non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). These are widely expressed and designated as prime gene regulatory factors in tumors and the immune system. Notably, ncRNAs have been implicated in regulating chromatin stability, translation of cytoplasmic mRNAs, and the functional regulation of membrane-less nuclear bodies, which are significant pathways implicated in tumorigenesis. Tissue-specific patterns of expression of ncRNAs have suggested their role as potential cancer biomarkers, providing a suitable rationale for targeting them clinically. In this review, we discuss the recent findings which demonstrate the role of differential expression of chemokines and ncRNA in modulating TME during tumor progression. We also discuss the communication between tumor and immune effector cells via chemokine/ncRNAs and identify their potential as novel therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the widespread usage to safeguard crops and manage pests, pesticides have detrimental effects on the environment and human health. The necessity to find sustainable agricultural techniques and meet the growing demand for food production has spurred the quest for pesticide substitutes other than traditional ones. The unique qualities of nanotechnology, including its high surface area-to-volume ratio, controlled release, and better stability, have made it a promising choice for pest management. Over the past ten years, there has been a noticeable growth in the usage of nanomaterials for pest management; however, concerns about their possible effects on the environment and human health have also surfaced. The purpose of this review paper is to give a broad overview of the worldwide trends and environmental effects of using nanomaterials in place of pesticides. The various types of nanomaterials, their characteristics, and their possible application in crop protection are covered. The limits of the current regulatory frameworks for nanomaterials in agriculture are further highlighted in this review. Additionally, it describes how standard testing procedures must be followed to assess the effects of nanomaterials on the environment and human health before their commercialization. In order to establish sustainable and secure nanotechnology-based pest control techniques, the review concludes by highlighting the significance of taking into account the possible hazards and benefits of nanomaterials for pest management and the necessity of an integrated approach. It also emphasizes the importance of more investigation into the behavior and environmental fate of nanomaterials to guarantee their safe and efficient application in agriculture. • Possible hazards and benefits of NPs for pest management have been summarized. • Limits of current regulatory frameworks for NPs in agriculture have been described. • Nutritional status of plants is highlighted under NPs use as pest management. • Possible limitations of NPs use as pest management have been identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we studied, the cationic alkali metal-based ternary type Chalcogenides for their optoelectronic and thermoelectric nature by using the state-of-the-art density functional theory. The computed bandgap exposed the fact that the studied materials are semiconductors in nature. The predicted band gap values for K 2 ZnSe 2 were 2.351 ​eV and 2.164 ​eV for Na 2 ZnSe 2 material. Furthermore, the revealed valence band maxima and the conduction band minima that lies at the Г-point of the Brillouin zone indicated a direct bandgap nature in these materials. The existence of flat bands close to Fermi level in the valence band proclaimed that these materials also have interesting applications in electronic devices. The computed density of states for K 2 ZnSe 2 and Na 2 ZnSe 2 well support the result of the band structures and confirm their semiconducting nature. Each Zn and Se atom possesses a major contribution in the formation of the valence band in both the materials, however near the Fermi level in the valence band the Se chalcogen atom shows a dominant role. In the case of K 2 ZnSe 2, the computed values of ε 1 xx (0) and ε 1 zz (0) are about 4.1 and 4.7 respectively whereas for Na 2 ZnSe 2 the observed values are 5.1 and 5.8 fits well with Penn's criteria. The inexistence of absorption in the visible region also confirms the studied materials to be promising candidates for optoelectronics. The thermoelectric characteristics such as the Seebeck coefficient, specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, the power factor (PF), and the figure of merit as a function of temperature were also examined and studied for their possible thermoelectric device applications. The computed Specific heat capacity, for K 2 ZnSe 2 and Na 2 ZnSe 2 materials, respectively. [Display omitted] • A clear direct band-gap is observed located at the Γ-point showing that the two materials possess a direct bandgap semiconductors nature. • The Zn and Se atom possess a major contribution in the formation of the valence band, near the Fermi level in the valence band the Se chalcogen atom shows a dominant role. • The dispersion spectra ε 1 xx (ω), ε 1 zz (ω) and ε 2 xx (ω), ε 2 zz (ω) clearly signify the variation of the imaginary part which is the absorptive component. • The extremely sharp cut-off response in the absorption spectra at high energy values proves that the materials can be used as prospective candidates in optoelectronic devices operated in the U/V region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Facile synthesis of pyrazoline derivatives were carried out and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. • DNA binding results demonstrate that compounds 3b and 3d bind with DNA through the electrostatic mode of binding. • Compounds 3b and 3d induced apoptosis in A549 cell line and was confirmed using flow cytometry. • The Pharmacokinetic and drug-like properties of all the compounds (3a – 3l) was verified using Swissadme online server. N -formyl pyrazoline derivatives (3a–3l) were designed and synthesized via Michael addition reaction through cyclization of chalcones with hydrazine hydrate in presence of formic acid. The structural elucidation of N -formyl pyrazoline derivatives was carried out by various spectroscopic techniques such as 1H, 13C NMR, FT-IR, UV–visible spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. Anticancer activity of the pyrazoline derivatives (3a–3l) was evaluated against human lung cancer (A549), fibrosarcoma cell lines (HT1080) and human primary normal lung cells (HFL-1) by MTT assay. The results of anticancer activity showed that potent analogs 3b and 3d exhibited promising activity against A549 (IC 50 = 12.47 ± 1.08 and 14.46 ± 2.76 µM) and HT1080 (IC 50 = 11.40 ± 0.66 and 23.74 ± 13.30 µM) but low toxic against the HFL-1 (IC 50 = 116.47 ± 43.38 and 152.36 ± 22.18 µM). The anticancer activity of potent derivatives (3b and 3d) against A549 cancer cell line was further confirmed by flow cytometry based approach. DNA binding interactions of the pyrazoline derivatives 3b and 3d have been carried out with calf thymus DNA (Ct-DNA) using absorption, fluorescence and viscosity measurements, circular dichroism and cyclic voltammetry. Antioxidant potential of N -formyl pyrazoline derivatives (3a–3l) has been also estimated through DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical and H 2 O 2. Results revealed that all the compounds exhibited significant antioxidant activity. In silico molecular modelling and ADMET properties of pyrazoline derivatives were also studied using PyRx software against topoisomerase II receptor with PDB ID: 1ZXM to explore their best hits. MD simulation of 3b and 3d was also carried out with topoisomerase II for structure–function correlation in a protein. HuTopoII inhibitory activity of the analogs (3a–3 l) was examined by relaxation assay at varying concentrations 100–1000 µM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]