Search

This study focuses on improving the performance of Savonius hydrokinetic turbines (SHTs) by analyzing the influence of blade aerodynamics and varying overlap ratios ( e D = 0 to 0.15). The study compares the performance of conventional and a new type of Savonius turbine blade, referred to as S R 5050. The study uses the incompressible SST k − ω model to evaluate the performance of a rotor under an upstream velocity of 0. 46 m s , with the numerical flow-driven approach where no artificial rotor motion has been provided. The results show that the new blade shape of the S R 5050 rotor outperforms conventional rotors in all e D ratios. The blade shape of the S R 5050 rotor effectively captures the energy of fluid passing between the blades, increasing both the coefficient of power C p and the coefficient of torque C m . The S R 5050 rotor with an e D ratio of 0.15 displays the highest value of C p at 0.38. It shows a maximum performance improvement of 39.19% over conventional rotors. For conventional rotors, the highest values of C m were observed at rotor position around ≈ 15 ° and ≈ 195 ° , while for S R 5050 rotors with all e D ratios, the highest values of C m were observed at rotor position of ≈ 20 ° and ≈ 200 °. [Display omitted] • Influence of aerodynamic blade shape (SR5050) on the SHT. • Influence of different overlap ratios on the SHT. • Increasing the overlap ratio results in higher mean value of the TSR, C m and C p. • The S R 5050 shows better starting characteristics. • The S R 5050 exhibited a 39.19% increase in C p = 0. 38 compared to the conventional rotor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential oil of Pelargonium graveolens (rose-scented geranium), an important aromatic plant, comprising mainly mono- and sesqui-terpenes, has applications in food and cosmetic industries. This study reports the characterization of isoprenyl disphosphate synthases (IDSs) involved in P. graveolens terpene biosynthesis. The six identified PgIDSs belonged to different classes of IDSs, comprising homomeric geranyl diphosphate synthases (GPPSs; PgGPPS1 and PgGPPS2), the large subunit of heteromeric GPPS or geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthases (GGPPSs; PgGGPPS), the small subunit of heteromeric GPPS (PgGPPS.SSUI and PgGPPS.SSUII), and farnesyl diphosphate synthases (FPPS; PgFPPS).All IDSs exhibited maximal expression in glandular trichomes (GTs), the site of aroma formation, and their expression except PgGPPS.SSUII was induced upon treatment with MeJA. Functional characterization of recombinant proteins revealed that PgGPPS1, PgGGPPS and PgFPPS were active enzymes producing GPP, GGPP/GPP, and FPP respectively, whereas both PgGPPS.SSUs and PgGPPS2 were inactive. Co-expression of PgGGPPS (that exhibited bifunctional G(G)PPS activity) with PgGPPS.SSUs in bacterial expression system showed lack of interaction between the two proteins, however, PgGGPPS interacted with a phylogenetically distant Antirrhinum majus GPPS.SSU. Further, transient expression of AmGPPS.SSU in P. graveolens leaf led to a significant increase in monoterpene levels. These findings provide insight into the types of IDSs and their role in providing precursors for different terpenoid components of P. graveolens essential oil. • Six IDSs that are highly expressed in glandular trichomes of P. graveolens were functionally characterized. • Results revealed geranium has a homomeric GPPS, a bifunctional G(G)PPS, and a FPPS involved in terpenoid precursor formation. • Enzyme kinetics indicated that both homomeric and bifunctional G(G)PPS provide precursors for monoterpene biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) exposure to the animals including humans is reported as nephrotoxic compounds i.e. , disturbing redox status (increase oxidative stress), mitochondrial dysfunction, renal cell death and altered transporters in the renal system. Hsp27 (a small heat shock protein) has been shown as one of the modulators in the renal dysfunction and increased against the Cd induced toxicity. However, no studies are reported on the genetic modulation of stress protein against the Cd-induced nephrotoxicity. The current study aimed to examine the protective role of hsp27 overexpression against the Cd-induced nephrotoxicity using Drosophila melanogaster as an animal model. D. melanogaster renal system includes nephrocytes and Malpighian tubules (MTs) that show the functional similarity with mammalian kidney nephron. Overexpression of the hsp27 was found to reduce the Cd induced oxidative stress, rescue cell death in MTs of Cd exposed D. melanogaster larvae. The rescued GSH level, NADPH level and glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity were also observed in the MTs of the Cd exposed organism. Function (efflux activity and fluid secretion rate) of the MTs was restored in Cd exposed hsp27 overexpressed larvae. Further, results were confirmed by restored brush border microvilli density and reduced uric acid level. Tissue specific knockdown of hsp27 developed Cd like phenotypes in MTs and the phenotypes enhanced in Cd exposed condition. The present study clearly shows the role of hsp27 overexpression in restoration of the MTs function and protection against the Cd induced renal toxicity. [Display omitted] • This study first time report nephroprotective role of hsp27 in Cd induce renal toxicity in MTs of the D. melanogaster larvae. • This study first time report nephroprotective role of hsp27 in Cd induce renal toxicity in MTs of the D. melanogaster larvae. • hsp27 overexpression restores MMP, ATP level and microvilli brush border density in MTs of Cd exposed D. melanogaster larvae. • hsp27 knockdown negatively alter MTs functions in D. melanogaster larvae and more severely affect after the Cd exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-triketone herbicides have been efficiently employed as an alternate to atrazine. Triketones are 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) enzyme inhibitors and exposure is reported to cause significant increase in plasma tyrosine levels. In this study, we have employed a non-target organism Caenorhabditis elegans to determine the impact of β-triketone exposures at recommended field doses (RfD). Our results indicate sulcotrione and mesotrione, negatively influence the survival, behavior, and reproduction of the organism at RfD. Additionally, we have traced the parallels regarding the impact of triketones on the tyrosine metabolism pathway, in C. elegans to those in mammalian models, wherein the expression of the tyrosine metabolism pathway genes are altered, directly influencing tyrosine catabolism leading to significant tyrosine accumulation in exposed organism. Further, we investigated the impact of sulcotrione and mesotrione exposure on fat deposition (triglyceride levels, Oil-Red-O staining and lipidomics) and the fatty acid metabolism pathway. In the exposed worms, the expression of enlongases and fatty acid desaturases were up-regulated along with an increase in the levels of triglycerides. Thus, the data indicates a positive association of β-triketone exposure to mis-regulation of the fatty acid metabolism pathway genes leading to fat accumulation in worms. Therefore, β-triketone might be a potential obesogen. [Display omitted] • β-triketone significantly impacts behavior, and reproduction in C. elegans. • β-triketone exposure causes tyrosine and triglyceride accumulation in C. elegans. • Up-regulation of desaturases and elongases leads to fat deposition in exposed worms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, effect of exposure of bisphenol A (BPA) and combined exposure of BPA + HSD has been investigated on the glucose homeostasis and associated renal complications in Drosophila. Exposure of 1.0 mM BPA alone induced type 2 diabetes like condition (T2D) in adult male D. melanogaster via oxidative stress. Elevated TGF-β signaling was evident by increased expression of baboon (babo) in BPA exposed organism that stimulated the modulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) component collagen IV resulting in the fibrosis of the Malpighian tubules (MTs). Combined exposure of BPA + HSD (high sucrose diet) resulted in the increased magnitude of T2D and MTs dysfunction parameters. Taken together, the study illustrates that BPA has diabetogenic potential in exposed Drosophila that caused adverse effects on their MTs and combined exposure with BPA and HSD could aggravate the renal tubular dysfunction. The study further suggests the use of Drosophila model to study the environmental chemicals induced diabetes mediated renal dysfunction. [Display omitted] • Bisphenol A (BPA) induces type 2 diabetes (T2D) like condition in Drosophila. • BPA induced oxidative stress results in fibrosis of Malpighian tubules (MTs). • Fibrosis in the MTs results in the structural deformities in them. • Structural deformities result in reduced function of MTs and shortened life span of Drosophila. • BPA + high sucrose diet (HSD) further increased the magnitude of T2D and MTs dysfunction parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]