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The green approach of synthesizing nanoparticles is an efficient, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and rapid technique in which plant sources act as capping/stabilizing and reducing agents. The current study aimed to investigate the anticancer potential of biosynthesized Cu4O3 NPs against the human ovarian teratocarcinoma cell line (PA-1). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) were used to predict the size and morphology of the biosynthesized nanoparticles. The SEM image revealed a 200 nm size of Cu4O3 NPs; however, TEM data showed the spherical shape of the Cu4O3 NPs in the range of ≤ 100 nm. A range of biological evaluations, such as cytotoxicity assay, morphological alteration, induction of apoptosis by three different staining techniques (AO/EB dual staining, DAPI, and PI staining), ROS production, and alteration in mitochondrial membrane potential were performed. We observed a dose-dependent cytotoxicity of Cu4O3 NPs in the PA-1 cell line with an IC50 dose of 9.5 µg/ml. Furthermore, Cu4O3 NP treatment induced apoptosis, which was confirmed by all three adopted staining techniques while inducing ROS production and modulating mitochondrial membrane potential. Our findings highlight the anticancer potential of Cu4O3 NPs against the studied cell line, which needs to be further explored because of its cost-effectiveness and eco-friendly nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactoferrin is a multifunctional glycoprotein present in mammalian milk. It possesses antimicrobial, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and several biological functions. Owing to the current trend of increasing antibiotic resistance, our study was designed to purify lactoferrin from camel milk colostrum using cation exchange chromatography on the SP-Sepharose high-performance column. The purity and molecular weight of lactoferrin were checked by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The chromatogram of the purification procedure illustrated a single peak corresponding to lactoferrin, while the SDS-PAGE revealed 78 kDa molecular weight protein. Furthermore, lactoferrin protein and its hydrolysate form were assessed for its antimicrobial potential. The highest inhibitory effect of whole lactoferrin at the concentration (4 mg/ml) was observed against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and S. aureus, while 10 mg/ml concentration was effective against K. pneumonia, and 27 mg/ml was potent against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, P. aeruginosa. Likewise, MRSA was more sensitive toward iron-free lactoferrin (2 mg/ml) and hydrolyzed lactoferrin (6 mg/ml). The tested lactoferrin forms showed variability in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) among tested bacteria. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis images revealed distortions of the bacterial cells exposed to lactoferrin. The antibiofilm effect differed depending on the concentration and the type of the bacteria; biofilm inhibition ranged from 12.5 to 91.3% in the tested pathogenic bacteria. Moreover, the anticancer activity of lactoferrin forms exhibited a dose-dependent cytotoxicity against human lung cancer cell line (A549). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of groundwater in the Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh is poorly studied despite the fact that it is the only supply of water for both drinking and irrigation and people use it without any pre-treatment. The evaluation of groundwater quality and suitability for drinking and irrigation is presented in this study. Groundwater samples were collected and analysed by standard neutralisation and atomic emission spectrophotometry for major anions (HCO3−, SO42−, Cl−, F−, NO3−), cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+), and heavy metals (Cd, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Pb). The geographic information system (GIS) and statistical inferences were utilised for the spatial mapping of the groundwater's parameters. The potential water abstraction (i.e. taking water from sources such as rivers, streams, canals, and underground) for irrigation was assessed using the sodium absorption ratio (SAR), permeability index (PI), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), and Na percentage. According to the findings, the majority of the samples had higher EC, TDS, and TH levels, indicating that they should be avoided for drinking and irrigation. The positive correlation coefficient between chemical variability shows that the water chemistry of the studied region is influenced by geochemical and biological causes. According to the USSL (United States Salinity Laboratory) diagram, most of the samples fall under the C2-S1 and C3-S1 moderate to high salt categories. Some groundwater samples were classified as C4-S3 class which is unfit for irrigation and drinking. This study suggests that the groundwater in the study area is unfit for drinking without treatment. However, the majority of the samples were suitable for irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally, despite the recent advancements in clinical research. Early diagnosis of CVD and prevention of future complications are important for the management of CVD. In the present study, we determined the genotypic linkage of interleukin-6 (IL-6) promoters with the clinical, biochemical, and inflammatory markers of CVD in the Saudi population. Materials and methods: The study consisted of 89 patients (male and female) with CVD who were admitted at the King Abdulaziz university hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The biochemical parameters were evaluated using an automated chemistry analyzer, and inflammatory markers were measured using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. For genotypic analysis, Sanger sequencing was performed. We observed a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) between GG (66.29%), GC (30.34%), and CC (3.37%) genotypes at the − 174G/C (rs1800795) hotspot and neopterin levels. However, the genotypes at the − 572G/C (rs1800796) hotspot did not show any association with age, gender, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, and coronary artery status. In addition, no significant association was observed with biochemical and inflammatory markers, namely fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin A1c, creatinine, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, IL-6, and C-reactive protein. The comparison between different possible genotypic groups and CVD risk factors showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) association between the male gender and HDL with GG, rs1800795 group vs. GC, rs1800796 group. Similarly, neopterin level was also found to be significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the genotypes GC, rs1800795, and GG, rs1800796. Additionally, the male gender (p < 0.01), age (p < 0.05), serum creatinine (p < 0.001), and neopterin (p < 0.05) were found to be significantly associated with GG, rs1800795 + GG, rs1800796, GC, rs1800795 + GC, and rs1800796 GC. Conclusion: The direct association of neopterin level with IL-6 promoter polymorphism at − 174G/C (rs1800795) hotspot indicated the role of inflammation in CVD pathogenesis in the Saudi population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Complex coronary atherosclerotic lesions often lead to coronary occlusion, clinically represented as a single-vessel disease (SVD) and multivessel disease (MVD). These occlusions could hinder the blood flow in coronary arteries that affects appropriate management of the CVD. The current study intended to genotype interleukin (IL)-18 promoter's hotspots (rs187238, rs1946518, and rs1946519) and their possible association with coronary artery stenosis. Material and methods: The IL-18 promoter genotyping was performed by the Sanger method along with the examination of biochemical parameters in 125 study subjects categorized into three groups, viz. controls, SVD and MVD. Results: The current study observed a significant association of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia between the studied group's viz. healthy controls, SVD, and MVD. Fasting blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1C) were also significantly enhanced from 4.82 vs. 8.01 and 4.33 vs. 8.27, in SVD, and MVD respectively. Despite the visible differences in the pattern of genotypic and allelic expressions, the current study did not show any statistically significant correlation with IL-18 promoter polymorphism at its hotspots with controls, SVD, and MVD subjects. The only exception of the above results was the distribution of allelic frequency at the rs1946519 hotspot, where a significant change (P < 0.05) was observed. Conclusion: This study is of additional value to our previous reports, revealing the pattern of genotypes and allelic frequency of IL-18 promoters in a small cohort of Saudi ethnicity. Further investigations on larger sample size are recommended to envisage the presence of functional mutations in the IL-18 gene that could establish or rule out the possible association of IL-18 polymorphism with SVD and MVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates a correlation between family history, micronutrients intake, and alternative therapies with genetic instability, before and during breast cancer treatment. For this study, a total of 150 women were selected. Among those, 50 women were breast cancer patients on chemotherapy, while 50 breast cancer patients were on radiotherapy, and 50 were healthy females. All the participants signed the informed consent form and answered the public health questionnaire. Samples of buccal epithelial and peripheral blood cells were collected and analyzed through micronucleus and comet assays. The cells were evaluated for apoptosis and DNA damage. Results showed the association of patients' family history with an increase in toxicogenetic damage before and during cancer therapy. On the other hand, patients with late-onset cancer also presented genetic instability before and during therapy, along with those who did not take sufficient vegetables and alternative therapies. A positive correlation was observed between the genetic instability and alternative therapies, while inverse correlation was recorded with the vegetable consumption. Results clearly explain that the nutritional aspects and alternative therapies influence the genetic instability before and during cancer therapies especially in radiotherapy treated patients. Our data could be used for the monitoring therapies and management of breast cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The non-enzymatic glycation reaction results in the generation of free radicals which play an important role in the pathophysiology of aging, diabetes, and cancer. 3-Deoxyglucosone (3-DG) is a dicarbonyl species which may lead to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). 3-DG also reacts with free amino group of nucleic acids resulting in the formation of DNA-AGEs. While the establishment of nucleoside AGEs has been revealed before, no extensive studies have been done to probe the role of 3-DG in the generation of immunogenicity and induction of cancer auto-antibodies. In this study, we report the immunogenicity of AGEs formed by 3-DG-Arg-Fe system. Spectroscopic analysis and melting temperature studies suggest structural perturbations in the DNA as a result of modification. Immunogenicity of native and 3-DG-Arg-Fe DNA was probed in female rabbits. The modified DNA was highly immunogenic eliciting high-titer immunogen-specific antibodies, while the unmodified form was almost non-immunogenic. We also report the presence of auto-antibodies against 3-DG-Arg-Fe-modified DNA in the sera of patients with different types of cancers. The glycoxidative lesions were also detected in the lymphocyte DNA isolated from selected cancer patients. The results show structural perturbations in 3-DG-Arg-Fe-DNA generating new epitopes that render the molecule immunogenic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The non-enzymatic reaction between reducing sugars and proteins has received increased attention in nutritional and medical research recently. In the current manuscript, effect of glycation in structural changes of human serum albumin (HSA) by the metabolites of glucose such as glyoxal, methylglyoxal and glyceraldehyde was studied using different spectroscopy techniques. Glycation of HSA was monitored by following advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) fluorescence changes, HSA intrinsic fluorescence measurement, extrinsic fluorescence using 8-analino 1-nephthlene sulfonic acid (ANS) dye, and circular dichroism (CD) studies. AGEs were formed within 7 days of incubation with glyoxal, methylglyoxal and glyceraldehyde. However, methylglyoxal induced significant structural changes in HSA compared with glyoxal and glyceraldehydes. Moreover, ANS binding to native and glycated-HSA showed difference in binding pattern of these metabolites to HSA. The CD spectrum revealed changes in the secondary structure of HSA upon glycation when compared to native HSA. Furthermore, the MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay established the cytotoxicity of the glycated- HSA towards human liver carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines via the production of reactive oxygen species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tremendous surge in the industrialization and infrastructure development worldwide have led to a significant rise in environmental pollutants in the last 2-3 decades. Pollutants in the natural environment consist of highly diversified and complex mixtures. A single biomarker cannot be used to assess a complete identification of environmental pollutants. In this context, it is highly recommended by environmental scientists to evaluate a set of complementary biomarkers for the complete assessment of toxic burden of complex environmental pollutants in the exposed organisms. Moreover, a multiple biomarker approach for the stress assessment is believed to have high sensitivity and could be done in comparatively lesser measuring time. The present article focuses on the viability of usage of xenobiotic detoxification enzymes viz. phase I and II as the toxicity biomarkers. As far as our knowledge goes, we are for the first time reporting phase I and phase II enzymes together as potential toxicity biomarkers in a single article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formation of advanced glycation end products (AGE) is crucially involved in the several pathophysiologies associated with ageing and diabetes, for example arthritis, atherosclerosis, chronic renal insufficiency, Alzheimer’s disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, and cataracts. Because of devastating effects of AGE and the significance of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a transport protein, this study was designed to investigate glycation-induced structural modifications in BSA and their functional consequences in breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). We incubated d-ribose with BSA and monitored formation of d-ribose-glycated BSA by observing changes in the intensity of fluorescence at 410 nm. NBT (nitro blue tetrazolium) assay was performed to confirm formation of keto-amine during glycation. Absorbance at 540 nm (fructosamine) increased markedly with time. Furthermore, intrinsic protein and 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) fluorescence revealed marked conformational changes in BSA upon ribosylation. In addition, a fluorescence assay with thioflavin T (ThT) revealed a remarkable increase in fluorescence at 485 nm in the presence of glycated BSA. This suggests that glycation with d-ribose induced aggregation of BSA into amyloid-like deposits. Circular dichroism (CD) study of native and ribosylated BSA revealed molten globule formation in the glycation pathway of BSA. Functional consequences of ribosylated BSA on cancer cell line, MCF-7 was studied by MTT assay and ROS estimation. The results revealed cytotoxicity of ribosylated BSA on MCF-7 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution implies any alteration in the surroundings but it is restricted in use especially to mean any deterioration in the physical, chemical, and biological quality of the environment. All types of pollution, directly or indirectly, affect human health. Present scenario of pollution calls for immediate attention towards the remediation and detoxification of these hazardous agents in order to have a healthy living environment. The present communication will deal with the use of naturally occurring microbes capable of bioremediating the major environmental pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cystatins are thiol proteinase inhibitors ubiquitously present in the mammalian body. They serve a protective function to regulate the activities of endogenous proteinases, which may cause uncontrolled proteolysis and damage. In the present study, the effect of benzo(a)pyrene [BaP] on lung cystatin was studied to explore the hazardous effects of environmental pollutant on structural and functional integrity of the protein. The basic binding interaction was studied by UV-absorption, FT-IR, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The enhancement of total protein fluorescence with a red shift of 5 nm suggests structural scratch of lung cystatin by benzo(a)pyrene. Further, ANS binding studies reaffirm the unfolding of the thiol protease inhibitor (GLC-I) after treating with benzo(a)pyrene. The results of FT-IR spectroscopy reflect perturbation of the secondary conformation (alpha-helix to β-sheet) in goat lung cystatin on interaction with BaP. Finally, functional inactivation of cystatin on association with BaP was checked by its papain inhibitory activity. Benzo(a)pyrene (10 μM) caused complete inactivation of goat lung cystatin. Benzo(a)pyrene-induced loss of structure and function in the thiol protease inhibitor could provide a caution for lung injury caused by the pollutants and smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In present study, we measured the activities of some selected cytochrome P450 isozymes like ethoxyresorufin- o-deethylase (EROD), pentoxyresorufin- o-deethylase (PROD), and N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase (NDMA-d) treating experimental rats with different environmental toxicants, namely trichloroethylene (TCE), heavy metal mixture, and ethyl alcohol individually or in combination and by exposing the Allium cepa bulbs to increasing concentration of TCE for 48 h. In animal system, NDMA-d activity displayed a remarkable amplification by 4.2-fold in the liver of alcohol ingested rats compared with control animals. TCE intake also resulted in a marked increase of around 3.8-fold and 1.2-fold in rats' NDMA-d activity in the liver and kidney, respectively. In onion bulbs, an amazing rise in the activity of test enzymes was recorded in a dose-dependent manner. Among the said enzymes, PROD showed maximum increase up to the extent of 22-fold in comparison with control at 20 ppm of TCE exposure, whereas NDMA-d and EROD showed 11- and 9-fold increase in enzymatic activity, respectively, compared with the control. Based on this study, we conclude and advocate that all the selected isozymes of CYP450 system, viz. PROD, NDMA-d, and EROD can act as potent biomarkers in plant system for assessing the TCE pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last quarter of the twentieth century had witnessed a global surge in awakening against the unabated menace of environmental pollution. Among the various types of environmental pollution, water pollution is an age-old problem but it has gained an alarming dimension lately because of the problems of population increase, sewage disposal, industrial waste, radioactive waste, etc. Present scenario of water pollution calls for immediate attention towards the remediation and detoxification of these hazardous agents in order to have a healthy living environment. The present communication will deal with the toxicological effects of major environmental pollutants, viz. heavy metals, pesticides, and phenols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the detoxification potential of Pseudomonas fluorescens SM1 strain immobilized in calcium alginate beads for some major toxicants of Indian water bodies. The toxicants selected in this study were benzene hexachloride, mancozeb, 2,4-dichloro-phenoxyacetic acid (pesticides); phenol, catechol, cresol (phenolics); and Cd, Cr(VI), Cu and Ni (heavy metals), which were taken as mixtures up to a concentration of roughly twice that usually found in highly polluted sites. Allium cepa phytotoxicity test, Ames fluctuation test and plasmid nicking assay were employed to estimate the phytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the model water containing the test toxicants under different combinations before and after exposure to our bioremediation-cum-detoxification system. The IC of the model water containing all the test toxicants, treated with the immobilized SM1 cells, was recorded to be 0.7× compared to 0.06× for the same but untreated water sample, enhancing the IC value by 12-fold. The IC of the test heavy metal mixture only could enhance from 0.07 to 1.30× (18-fold). The IC of the test pesticide mixture alone was increased from 0.07 to 1.71× (24-fold). The IC values for the mixture of test phenolics were 0.07× and 2.18× under the pre- and post-treatment conditions, respectively, exhibiting a 31-fold increase. A mutational induction (Mi) corresponding to the 0.5 value in the Ames fluctuation test was used to evaluate the mutagenicity of the test model water containing all the toxicants before and after exposure to the immobilized SM1 cell system. The Mi (0.5) value with the TA98 tester strain was estimated to be 0.08× for the untreated and 0.6× for the treated model water, whereas the same index was calculated to be 0.48× and 1.8×, respectively, for the TA100 strain. A remarkable improvement in the quality of the test water as a result of exposure to this bioremediating system was observed in terms of the absence of the linear form of the plasmid contrary to the visible linearization with the untreated model water. In view of the above findings, it is quite clear that the test of P. fluorescens SM1 strain immobilized in the calcium alginate beads could be used as an efficient system of bioremediation and for water decontamination strategies owing to its remarkable detoxification potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genotoxicity of certain water bodies was evaluated employing the DNA repair defective mutants of Escherichia coli, induction of prophage lamda in the lysogen and the plasmid nicking assay. All the test DNA repair defective mutants invariably exhibited more sensitivity than their isogenic wild-type strains but distinctive patterns against the three water samples viz. industrial waste water and the groundwater samples obtained from industrial estate of Aligarh as well as river water of Yamuna at Agra. A significant level of phage induction was also recorded in the test system exhibiting maximum induction in case of industrial waste water followed by that in river and groundwater samples, respectively. The single- and double-strand breaks were also observed in the plasmid DNA treated with industrial waste water and the river water samples. These findings are suggestive of the DNA damage induced by the test samples with the probable role of SOS repair in E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immobilized microbial cells for the biological treatment have the potential to degrade toxic chemicals faster than conventional wastewater treatment systems. In the present study, suitability of immobilized Pseudomonas fluorescens SM1 strain in calcium alginate beads for remediation of the major toxicants in Indian water bodies was tested by means of GC/HPLC and AAS techniques. Roughly 80% reduction in the concentration of phenols was observed by immobilized SM1 cells compared with 60% by the free cells. Also, in the case of the bioremediation of heavy metals, immobilized SM1 cells were found to be more efficient compared with the free cells. Suspension of P. fluorescens SM1 cells in the test model water for 24 h brought down the concentrations of Cu, Cd, Ni, and Pb by more than 75% under free cell state and 7-9% better efficiency under the immobilized conditions. However, Cr(VI) could show only 44% removal by the cell immobilized system, whereas a mere 35% reduction in the Cr(VI) levels was shown in the test model water by the free SM1 cells under the same conditions. Moreover, a model water containing 2,000 ppb of BHC, 1,248 ppb mancozeb, and 312 ppb 2,4-D passed through the cell immobilized column resulted in the decline in their concentrations up to 362 ppb, 750 ppb, and 126 ppb, respectively. Generally, AAS, HPLC, and GC analyses of treated test model waters with the free and immobilized SM1 cells exhibited high potential of immobilized SM1 in detoxification of test water. From the results, we conclude that immobilized cells of P. fluorescens SM1 strain were quite effective in bioremediation of major toxicants present in Indian water bodies, and we also recommend the use of immobilized bacterial cells rather than the free cells for the bioremediation/detoxification process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-based bioassays have recently gained remarkable popularity among the toxicological/eco-toxicological assessment procedures. The reasons for their wide use are comparative simplicity, sensitivity, and cost-effectiveness as well as a good correlation with other toxicity tests. The present study describes the use of two plant bioassays, Allium cepa test and seed germination test in the evaluation of the toxicity/genotoxicity of industrial waste water and river water and standardization with the commonly occurring pollutants in Indian waters namely heavy metals and phenolics. Both tests were standardized to suit the Indian conditions, and the local varieties were used. Both bioassays responded significantly with the test range of heavy metals and phenolics. The toxicity of heavy metals was in the order of Cu > Ni > Cd in both the tests whereas 2,4-dinitrophenol was the most toxic among the phenolic compounds. Cabbage, millet, and cucumber, respectively, were found to be the most sensitive in the seed germination test for the test heavy metals and phenols. Significant amounts of chromosomal abnormalities including bridges, stickiness, and fragmentations were recorded with both the industrial waste water and the XAD concentrated river water samples by A. cepa test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]