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The present study aimed to examine the in vitro antibacterial activity of Boswellia serrata solvent extracts against multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogens isolated from skin and wound samples. B. serrata resin was acquired, and powdered; blended with five different extraction solvents. The collected bacterial isolates from wound and skin swabs were identified using biochemical profiling and classified according to their unique physiological and biochemical characteristics. Three isolated pathogens were exposed to antibiotic drugs via the disk dispersion assay, and the antimicrobial efficiency of the plant extract was assessed against the wound and skin infection-causing nosocomial bacterial pathogens. The qualitative and quantitative examination of plant extracts was carried out by mass spectra and 70 eV electron impact ionisation process. The 2D molecular interaction patterns between beta-lactamase protein and phytocompounds complexes were generated in DS viewer to understand the hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction. Three antibiotic-resistant strains, Staphylococcus aureus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Acinetobacter baumannii , were isolated and exposed to the extract of B. serrata. Plant extract at 60 µg proven effective against antibiotic-resistant strains of S. aureus, P. aeruginosa , and A. baumannii. In molecular docking studies, it was found that out of the 15 bioactive compounds detected from the plant extract, only three showed significant binding affinity to the bacterial-lactamase protein (AmpC). The auto dock results revealed different crucial affinity values of the bioactive compounds. Cholan-24-oic acid, 3,12-bis(acetyloxy) showed a Dock score of −8.6 kcal/mol for P. aeruginosa , −8.1 kcal/mol for A. baumannii , and −7.6 kcal/mol for S. aureus. Due to its strong binding affinity with antibacterial target proteins, it exhibits exceptional antibacterial properties. The findings confirmed bioactive constituents in B. serrata , with antibacterial activity against antibiotic resistance nosocomial pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of marine litter is increasing along the Indian coast. For conducting a baseline study to identify and assess the abundance, clean-coast index (CCI), and plastics abundance index (PAI) of marine litter were calculated on the beaches of Kanyakumari, Southern India. A total of 11,439 marine litter items were collected and classified into 33 groups along the 7 beaches of Kanyakumari. From the results, plastics were the most abundant items (65.08 %) followed by foam (21.93 %), along with cloths (4.59 %), rubber (3.09 %), papers (2.26 %), glass (2.16 %), metal (0.38 %), wood (0.26 %), and others (0.26 %). The average CCI value (27.24) indicates that all beaches are ' extremely dirty '; however, the PAI average value (4.37) indicates ' high abundance '. About 96.87 % of the marine litter originates from the land-based sources. This study provides an interpretive framework for further plastic pollution assessment, which could lead to a better marine litter management on Indian beaches. • 11,439 marine litter items, and their density of 6.71 items/m2 were identified. • Plastic litter with an average density of 4.37 items/m2, was the most abundant. • The average value of CCI (27.24) indicates the beaches were ' extremely dirty '. • The PAI (71.43 %) confirmed that five beaches have ' high abundance '. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder; the safety and effects of radiation therapy on PD are not well established. We report a patient with PD and a brain tumor referred for radiation therapy and review the literature on this topic focusing on the incidence of cancer and brain tumors in PD, brain tumors and radiation therapy as independent causes of PD, and the safety and effect of radiation therapy, including functional radiosurgery, in patients with PD. Methods and materials A PubMed literature review focusing on all English language publications from 1940 to 2014 identified 146 relevant articles, of which 91 discussed functional radiosurgery for PD, 49 discussed “neoplastic parkinsonism,” 4 discussed radiation-induced parkinsonism, and 2 discussed the safety of fractionated radiation therapy in patients with PD. Results Odds ratios of 0.4 to 0.88 have been reported for the development of cancer in general among patients with PD, whereas the incidence ratios of PD patients developing a brain tumor relative to the general population range from 0.9 to 1.61. Parkinsonian symptoms thought to arise as a sequelae of tumor growth have been described in 49 papers dating to 1953. We identified 4 reports of parkinsonian syndromes that arose after radiation therapy, comprising a total of 7 patients, including 5 adults and 2 pediatric patients. Pediatric patients showed a mixed response to dopamine agonist therapy, whereas adults had little symptom improvement. Reports of PD patients irradiated in conventional fractionation for a variety of indications do not appear to indicate increased sensitivity to radiation therapy or exacerbated PD symptoms after irradiation. Radiosurgery performed for management of refractory tremor in PD patients results in up to an 88% favorable outcome, with the onset of symptom improvement ranging from 3 days to 1 year and minimal toxicity (not exceeding the toxicities observed for the same stereotactic radiosurgery procedure performed for essential tremor in nonparkinsonian patients). Conclusions Patients with PD do not harbor an increased risk for the development of cancer in general and have similar incidence of brain tumors as the general population. Tumor-induced parkinsonism is a rare entity. Parkinsonism as a side effect of brain radiation is an uncommon phenomenon, even after high doses, but is associated with limited response to medical management. Rare cases in children, typically associated with bilateral imaging changes, have been described, which suggests possible uncommon genetic predisposition. There are no convincing reports that suggest that pre-existing parkinsonism is worsened by radiation therapy, although a mechanistic possibility for this exists. Functional radiosurgery for management of refractory tremor in PD patients is safe and effective. Radiation therapy, either fractionated or stereotactic radiosurgery, appears to be safe when used judiciously for patients with PD, for the treatment of either tumors or PD itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continuous development of antimicrobial resistance and appearance of new diseases necessitate use of novel and effective antimicrobial molecules. This research work was planned to determine the antimicrobial and metabolite profiling of Streptomyces filamentosus strain KS17 from unexplored regions of Devbag beach, India. The Streptomyce s filamentosus strain KS17 was screened and was subjected to various characterization techniques. Antagonistic activity of ethyl acetate extract was carried out and finally spectral and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was done. The Streptomyces filamentosus strain KS17 displayed a strong antimicrobial activity on cross streak method. The organism produced greyish and light yellow mycelia and optimal growth was observed at 30–35 ℃ and expressed an evolutionary relationship with Streptomyces filamentosus strain Act74 (KT996121). The UV spectrum exhibited active peak at 213 nm. The ethyl acetate extract exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against bacteria and yeasts, such as S. flexneri , E. coli , K. pneumoniae , B. cereus , S. aureus , E. faecalis , B. subtilis , C. albicans and C. glabrata. The gram negative bacteria P. aeruginosa was unsusceptible. The metabolite profiling through GC-MS acquainted the presence of 30 bioactive compounds having antibacterial, anticancer properties. Pentane, 2,4-dimethyl- (40.75%), Stigmast-5-en-3-ol, oleate (17.09%), 2-methylhexacosane (4.52%), 9-Octadecenoic acid, 1,2,3-propanetriyl ester, (E , E , E)- (3.85%) and Phthalic acid, di(2-propylpentyl) ester (2.82%) were the leading compounds available in extract. These compounds are known to have strong antibacterial and antifungal activity. In conclusion, the results clearly suggest the possibility of Streptomyces filamentosus strain KS17 as optimistic candidate for the development of potential antimicrobial drugs after structure elucidation and detail characterizations of bioactive metabolite. [Display omitted] • Streptomyces filamentosus strain KS17 was isolated from marine sediment samples. • The organism was identified as Streptomyces filamentosus through gene sequencing. • Streptomyces filamentosus strain KS17 showed smooth & rectiflexibiles spore chains. • The organism exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against pathogens. • The GC-MS analysis reported 30 compounds having several biological activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Novel class of spirooxindolopyrrolidines was synthesized employing cycloaddition methodology. • Spiro compounds were achieved in good yields and assigned by spectroscopic analysis. • In vitro antimicrobial activity against multi-drug resistant bacteria and fungi. • Trifluoromethoxy substituted spiro compound 4b displayed significant antimicrobial activity. Infectious diseases are a major public health concern worldwide and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Spirooxindolopyrrolidine moiety is attractive in this connection, because this structural unit predominates in many biologically relevant natural alkaloids and displayed multifarious biological profiles including antimicrobial activities. In present study, we have synthesized new class of spirooxindolopyrrolidine hybrid heterocycles employing multicomponent cycloaddition methodology. Compound thus synthesized were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against common microbial pathogens. Of the compounds 4a-d , the compound 4b bearing trifluoromethoxy unit on the oxindole ring exhibited significant antimicrobial activity with an inhibition range from 7.00 ± 0.15 to 20.00 ± 0.08 mm and MIC value from 8.00 to >256.00 μg/mL against selected microbial pathogens. Hence, the compound 4b was a potential candidate to compacting infectious diseases causing microbial pathogens. The overall results of this study indicated that compound 4b has higher potential activities against both multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungal pathogens. Further research studies are needed to fully understand their medicinal properties of new hybrid heterocycles that are being developed in our laboratory for potential therapeutic development to treat various diseases caused by microbial pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticide residues (PRs) in farmed shrimps are concerning food safety risks. Globally, India is a major exporter of pacific white leg shrimp (P. vannamei). This study was undertaken to analyze PRs in the water, sediments, shrimps, and feed at different growth stages to evaluate the ecotoxicological and human health risks. PRs in the seawater and sediments ranged from not detected (ND) to 0.027 μg/L and 0.006–12.39 μg/kg, and the concentrations were within the maximum residual limits (MRLs) and sediment quality guidelines prescribed by the World Health Organization and Canadian Environment Guidelines, respectively. PRs in shrimps at three growth stages viz. Postlarvae, juvenile, and adults, ranged from ND to 0.522 μg/kg, below the MRLs set by Codex Alimentarius Commission and European Commission. Most of the PRs in water, sediments, and shrimps did not vary significantly (p > 0.05) from days of culture (DOC-01) to DOC-90. The hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard ratio (HR) were found to be < 1, indicating that consumption of shrimps has no noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. PRs in shrimp feed ranged from ND to 0.777 μg/kg and were found to be below the MRLs set by EC, which confirms that the feed fed is safe for aquaculture practices and does not biomagnify in animals. The risk quotient (RQ) and toxic unit (TU) ranged from insignificant level (ISL) to 0.509 and ISL to 0.022, indicating that PRs do not pose acute and chronic ecotoxicity to aquatic organisms. The study suggested no health risk due to PRs in shrimps cultured in India and exported to the USA, China, and Japan. However, regular monitoring of PRs is recommended to maintain a sustainable ecosystem. [Display omitted] • Pesticides in water, sediment and shrimps were below the maximum residual limits. • Most pesticides exhibited no correlation between days of culture and size (p > 0.05). • Risk quotient and toxic unit showed no ecotoxicological risk to aquatic organism. • Hazard index and hazard ratio indicate no carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks. • Shrimps farmed in India are fairly traded worldwide due to less/no contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Structure of dimeric Quinoline Schiff base (DQS) was confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and Mass spectroscopy. • Intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanism is proposed for the specific detection of DQS with Pb2+. • LOD of DQS with Pb2+ calculated to 1.3 × 10-7 M. • The complexation of DQS with Pb2+ was applied into food samples, bacterial imaging, smart-phone application and logic gates. Dimeric quinoline-based Schiff base was developed (DQS) for the specific detection of Pb2+ ion via fluorimetry. DQS coordinates with Pb2+, a variation in fluorescence intensity with enhanced radical blue shift was observed due to the restriction of C N rotation, C N isomerization, and photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanisms. In addition, the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) from electron-donating morpholine to phenylene diamine acceptor linked quinoline bridge is responsible for the blue-shifted fluorescence enhancement in the DQS-Pb2+ complex. The binding stoichiometry of DQS: Pb2+ (1:2) was confirmed by host–guest titration and mass spectrometry. The limit of detection (LOD) of the DQS was found to be 1.3 × 10-7 M for Pb2+ ion. The DQS sensing ability of Pb2+ was further applied into milk and honey samples, smartphone, bio-imaging and to construct of an INHIBIT molecular logic gate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study describes the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Passiflora vitifolia (P. vitifolia) leaf extract as reducing and capping agent. Characterization of the synthesized AgNPs was done with the help of UV-Vis. spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), fourier transform infrared microscopy (FTIR), zeta potential, thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The formation of AgNPs was confirmed by the presence of an absorption peak at 388 nm in UV-Vis. spectrum, poly-dispersed nature and size range from 39.06 to 58.24 nm was displayed by AFM and different functional groups were recognized by FTIR analysis. AgNPs showed stability at − 20.3 mV through zeta potential. SEM and TEM analysis revealed that AgNPs were spherical, poly-dispersed particles with minimum size of 11.61 nm and XRD analysis showed face-centered cubic and crystalline nature. The AgNPs demonstrated a notable antimicrobial efficacy against pathogenic microorganisms and showed a substantial antioxidant activity against DPPH free radicals. Further, AgNPs conveyed potent anticancer activity against murine macrophage (RAW-264.7) cell line with a significant IC 50 value of 57.63 µg/mL. The synthesized AgNPs signified good antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer activity; hence it has the possibility to be used in various biomedical applications after successful clinical trials. [Display omitted] • AgNPs were biosynthesized from Passiflora vitifolia aqueous leaf extract. • AgNPs showed notable antimicrobial activity against E. coli , E. faecalis , C. albicans and C. glabrata. • Significant DPPH free radical scavanging activity observed with increasing concentration of AgNPs. • Observed potent anticancer activity on murine macrophage cell line with the IC 50 value of 57.63 µg/mL. • AgNPs displayed significant apoptotic activity after 72 h through double staining method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanin has been produced and extracted from various microorganisms because of its therapeutic nature and diverse applications in various fields. Hence we isolated actinomycetes from soil which is capable of producing melanin pigment from L -tyrosine and it was identified as Streptomyces sp. strain MR28 on the basis of biochemical, morphological characterization, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Production of melanin pigment was achieved by using standardized tyrosine broth. The melanin pigment was purified, and characterized by using various techniques such as Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), 1H NMR spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Elemental analysis (EDX), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The pigment exhibit maximum UV-Vis absorption spectrum at 299 nm, FTIR peaks confirm the occurrence of C-H, C-N, C-O, and C C functional groups which are key functional groups in indole/pyrrole structure. TLC analysis showed a single band with a significant Retardation factor (Rf) of 0.68, Resonance peaks at 6.66, 7.18, and 7.28 ppm exhibit aromatic hydrogen in the indole/pyrole system in 1H NMR. The EDX reports the presence of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur which are key elements in melanin structure, and TGA exhibits the thermal stability of the melanin. Overall, the successful production and extraction of melanin was achieved by using soil actinomycetes Streptomyces sp. strain MR28, and its characterization confirms the nature of the melanin pigment which has significant value in the industrial and biomedical field. • Isolated soil Actinomycetes were screened for tyrosinase production. • Potent isolate was characterized as Streptomyces sp. strain MR28. • Melanin was produced from MR28 strain and purified by acidification. • FTIR, NMR, TLC, EDX, TGA analysis confirms the melanin compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thamirabharani river acquires a noticeable quantity of sewage and agriculture waste from local inhabitants. The distribution of heavy metals in the surface sediments of the Thamirabharani river was analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma- Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to study the ecological risks. The heavy metal concentrations in the sediments ranged from 0.098 ± 0.03(Cd) to 159.181 ± 13.36 mg kg−1 (Fe). The Cd, Zn, Ni, Fe, and Mn concentrations in the sediments were above the US Environmental Protection Agency-Sediment Quality Guidelines. The fact that Cd, Co, and Cu concentrations at sites 4 and 5 exceeded the background values (BGVs) of 0.2, 13, and 32 mg kg−1 suggests anthropogenic activity, notably in the downstream of the river. The sediment contaminated with Cd is more evident, particularly in the estuarine region. The potential ecological risk index (150

In recent years, the investigation of the effect of shock waves on crystalline materials has emerged as a prolific research area in materials science branch. The impact of shock waves on K 2 SO 4 was investigated such that the molecular and structural stabilities under pre and post-shock wave loaded conditions at Mach number 2.2 with 50 and 100 shocks were established. Molecular stability of the test samples has been identified making use of FTIR spectrometer and the structural stability of the samples has been investigated by a Powder X-ray diffractometer (PXRD) which reveals that shock waves induce lattice orientational changes and micro distortions but, the original crystal system is not affected. The above-mentioned crystallographic studies show the impressive physical properties of K 2 SO 4 which also has a stable crystal structure under shock wave loaded conditions. A comparison of single and poly-crystalline structural responses has been made with respect to the number of shock pulses. The fascinating findings of the shock wave impacts on K 2 SO 4 samples are clearly discussed in this article. • Crystallographic phase stability of the poly-crystalline and single crystalline K 2 SO 4 at shocked conditions is reported. • FT-IR and XRD results show the stable crystal structure of poly-crystalline samples at shocked conditions. • Poly-crystalline K 2 SO 4 sample has relatively high structural stability and shock resistance compared to the single crystal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]